Toyota Plant Woes Continue

Despite lifting the lockout last week, Japanese car major Toyota continues to face trouble at its plants in Bidadi, Karnataka. The company had stated that the striking workers could return to work earlier this week if they sign a undertaking of good conduct. But the striking union workers has refused to sign this undertaking stating that it falsely implicates some employees for misconduct that resulted in the lockout. Toyota had earlier suspended close to 30 employees for stalling production and threatening supervisors.

In an exclusive chat with NDTV Auto, Toyota Kirloskar Motor's Vice Chairman Shekhar Viswanathan says ""We are carrying out limited plant operations with the help of our supervisory staff. We welcomed all members to come to the plant as per their respective shifts. Moreover, we have received tele calls from several Team Members informing their willingness to join work."

Toyota has also refuted allegations that they have hired contract workers to stabilize production during this stalemate. But Toyota is not disclosing the current limited rate of production given that the capacity was for 700 vehicles to be produced per day. The company is now counting on the intervention of the State Government to resolve this issue and no be forced to declare yet another lockout.

The Karnataka Labour Department is yet to conclude their enquiry on the final wage revision for the current fiscal which is among the main demands of the striking workers.