The stand off between Toyota’s management and workers has intensified, with workers now going on a hunger strike asking the government’s intervention in this matter. The workers also demanded the management should let them join without any conditions.
Led by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Employees Union president Prasanna Kumar C S, a total of 10 workers have gone on an indefinite hunger strike outside the company’s two plants at Bidadi near Bangalore, confirmed Satish Kumar, general secretary of the union.
“We had made two complaints last week. The government should intervene and action should be taken,” said Satish Kumar. “It is a completely peaceful hunger strike,” he added.
The company is currently running limited operations with the help of its non-unionised employees a majority of whom are supervisors and engineers. The union also alleged that the company has roped in contract labour and that it doesn’t have the requisite license to hire them.
The workers strike has inevitably affected Toyota’s sales figures, as the company sold only 9,160 units in March this year which includes exports. The numbers are down by 57.8 per cent in comparison to March 2013. The company has two new products, the new Corolla and the Etios Cross, lined up for launch next month. However, looking at the situation now, the launches may be delayed.
Toyota India's sales fall in March
