Maruti plant workers on hunger strike

Troubles surrounding Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant in India are continuing almost four months after violent clashes broke out, with former workers who were sacked following the unrest staging a two-day hunger strike.

The hunger strike started on Wednesday, with demands for an independent investigation into the events, the release of the workers who were arrested, and that those who lost their jobs be reinstated, said the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union.

A group of about 100 former workers took part in the protest outside the district court in Gurgaon, according to local reports.

More than 500 plant workers were fired following the clashes which erupted on July 18 as a result of labour unrest.

Amid the violence, Awanish Kumar Dev, a general manager, was burnt to death inside the factory. This resulted in a one-month lockout, after which the factory reopened under heavy security.

Estimates issued after the factory reopened for partial production after the lockout put losses at the factory as a result of the violence at about US$250 million (Dh918.3m).

business@thenational.ae