Workers Struggles: Asia

Workers Struggles: Asia

19 April 2014  India: Toyota lockout continues

Over 4,200 permanent workers at Toyota car assembly plants in Bidadi near Bangalore remain locked out as the union continues to offer concessions to management.

The Toyota Motors Employees Union’s (TMEU) offered to reduce workers’ demands for better wages and conditions during last week’s negotiations with Toyota Kirloskar Motor and government representatives if the company ended its four-week lockout and reinstated 30 sacked unionists.
TMEU initially demanded a 4,000-rupee ($US65) increase per month and other demands, including improved safety, limitations on the use of contract labour, housing facilities, medical benefits and other service benefits. Workers rejected a 3,050-rupee salary increase offer that did not include resolution of their other demands or the reinstatement of the victimised union representatives.
Following last week’s breakdown in negotiations the TMEU said it would accept a miniscule 50-rupee monthly pay increase and a vague management commitment to continue wage talks after workers re-entered the plant if the company reinstated the sacked unionists.
The TKMU is now appealing to the state labour department and a former Congress party chief minister to intervene on their behalf.