Tata Motors, striking workers lock horns at tripartite meet, outcome expected on Saturday

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The company had earlier asked the workers to resume work by March 11 failing which they would take a legal action. After the talks got over, Beniwal told the media that he went over a few fine points with both parties including that the suspension of an employee does not mean termination and a fair enquiry should be conducted by a neutral person. He also said that while an enquiry is ongoing – an employee is entitled to 50% of his wages till 3 months and post that 75 % wages and 100% if enquiry is not completed in 6 months.

“Both (parties) have been positive and their misunderstandings have been eased out and I am hopeful that they will work out their differences and work will resume. An enquiry of the suspended workers should be commenced immediately by a fair person and if culprit is found then the company should take action and if not then, they should take them back and this will be done,” said Beniwal

The meeting which lasted two hours at the Collector office saw participation from MS Patel, Assistant Commissioner of Labour Department, a few officials from Tata Motors and representatives from among the workers.

“We have no issues with the enquiry process going on, but the only demand we put forth was that the enquiry of the 28 suspended workers should be done while they are ‘on duty’. However company officials cited rules and refused to comply to this demand. We now plan to personally consult the 400 other striking workers and will convey our decision to the collector on Saturday evening. meanwhile the Collector also assured us that the due process of getting our union registered which we had applied in December will be completed in a month’s time and if in 15 days nothing moves then we can question the same,” said Harpalsinh Jhala, one of the representatives of the Tata Motors workers who are on strike.

A statement from the Tata Motors on Friday cited, “We are thankful to the District Collector Ahmedabad for taking the initiative and holding a meeting today with workmen representatives, Management and Labour Department to resolve this illegal strike resorted to by some people. With an aim to resolve the matter with a positive outlook, we have again communicated that all workmen other than those suspended on charges of indiscipline, should resume duty. It is in the interest of business to complete the enquiries at the earliest possible while adhering to the principles of natural justice and take appropriate action based on the outcome of the enquiries.”