GM workers throng labour office

The workers approached the officials at Narmada Bhavan at the labour department office and shouted slogan against the department and later submitted a memorandum.

The strike completes a month and GM has reported production losses. Talks between the workers and the company management had failed even at the Gujarat High Court Mediation Centre last week.

The workers are protesting against the working conditions in the factory and claim that many of them have developed spine related problems by working over a period of time. The medical test of some of the workers was done and the report is with the Department of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH),though the same has not been given to the workers,but has been handed over to the company.

Kandarp Vyas,vice-president,INTUC,Gujarat said a notice has been served to the company under the Industrial Disputes Act,Section 25 (T),but the Labour Department has failed to initiate any action against the company.

“It is as if they are working for the company and not for the state government. Instead of investigating the matter for the benefit of hundreds of workers,the government officials are supporting the company and this only shows how much the state government is concerned for its own workers,” Vyas said.

He added: “To weaken the unity among the workers,the company has even transferred and suspended those who were supporting the strike. The memorandum which we submitted to the Deputy Labour Commissioner in Vadodara had signatures of about 500 workers,a proof of our strength.”

GMI vice-president Balendran said from New Delhi: “We will continue to cooperate with all authorities and work closely with our employees and their union to find a resolution.”

He,however,did not provide any further details saying that the company supported lawful and constructive resolution of all issues.

“Our Halol plant is an outstanding workplace for hundreds of employees. It has an impressive history of employee safety and has won many safety and other awards,including several in 2010. We respect and follow the law and comply with all rules pertaining to health,safety,working conditions and employment,” Balendran said.

(With PTI inputs).