MUL issue: trade unions want Centre to mediate

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 31. Central trade unions today sought the intervention of the Centre to end alleged ``wholesale'' victimisation and harassment of workers by the management of Maruti Udyog Limited.

In joint letters addressed by the Central trade unions - AITUC, BMS, CITU, HMS, INTUC, TUCC, UTUC and UTUC(LS) - to the Union Industries Minister and the Union Labour Minister, it has been suggested that the Government should take the initiative by calling a meeting to facilitate restoration of normality in Maruti Udyog Ltd.

The identical letters to the two Ministers says that the agitation in Maruti Udyog ended with a settlement on January 8, following intervention by the Prime Minister and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. It was then hoped that the settlement would usher an era of renewed cordiality in industrial relations, thus paving the way for resolving the remaining cases of terminations and suspensions effected by the management during the agitation.

Pointing out that this ``genuine and bonafide'' hope had been belied with the management having resorted to increased victimisation of trade union activists and general harassment of employees, the unions have alleged that out of vengeance the management has dismissed from service the president of the union and services of trainees, who were reinstated following the settlement, have been terminated one by one.

It has further been alleged by the trade unions that the management has resorted to unfair and unjustified transfers and imposed back-breaking workload. Transport facility enjoyed by the employees has been withdrawn. Chargesheets were being issued by the management as a routine activity and so were threats being held out to the employees.

Privileges enjoyed by the office-bearers of the trade unions to facilitate their joining in the efforts to redress their grievances too have been withdrawn. Even the democratic and trade union rights were being denied by the management which has created a reign of terror both inside and outside the factory premises.

With the active connivance of the district administration, the employees were not being allowed to hold their general body meeting in Gurgaon by the management. They also accused the management of attempting to foist a puppet union on the workers.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Ordinance to curb power theft soon
Next     : Paswan denies giving in to cellular operators