Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) is ready to
reopen its Manesar plant on August 21 after a month-long lockout, with less than a tenth of its total workforce slated to resume operations in a single shift.
The company will restart the production at the unit under heavy police presence. It has also formed its own special force, comprising ex-service men.
The company had declared an indefinite lockout at the Manesar plant on July 21 following the
worst-ever violence in its history on July 18 that left one senior official dead and nearly 100 others injured.
"We are reopening the plant with 300 workers. With this workforce, we will operate just a single shift from 8 am to 4.30 pm," Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Chief Operating Officer (Administration) S Y Siddiqui said.
Initially about 150 cars will be rolled out every day instead of 1,500-1,700 units earlier. Production will be gradually ramped up at the plant, which has an annual capacity of 5.5 lakh units.
MSI has also decided to terminate
services of 500 permanent workers, who were allegedly found to be involved in the violence inside the plant. Besides, MSI is also said to be planning to
remove another 500 contract workers over their alleged role in the violence and arson.
Prior to the incident, the plant had an employee strength of 3,300, of which 1,528 were permanent.
To increase the workforce, the
company will start fresh recruitment of permanent workers from September 2 and existing contract workers will also be considered for the same.
With inputs from PTI
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