Osamu Suzuki firm on not reinstating sacked workers

Osamu Suzuki firm on not reinstating sacked workersOsamu Suzuki, chairman of auto giant Suzuki Motor Corporation, is firm on his decision that not a single of the 500 permanent workers who were sacked after the deadly riot at Manesar plant on 18 July will be reinstated.

Osamu Suzuki on Thursday evening met with union leaders of Maruti Suzuki's Gurgaon plant, listened patiently to their demands, problems and even opinions for around 50 minutes.

Union leaders expressed their opinion that trouble could again erupt at Manesar plant if sacked workers are not taken back. But, Mr. Suzuki condemned the violence, and termed it a criminal act. He stressed that violence can not be excused, and strict action needed to be taken against the guilty.

MUK Union General Secretary Kuldeep Janghu said dismissal of 500 workers was not acceptable to them.

Opposing the workers; dismissal, Janghu said, "We have asked for alternative action, such as a freeze on increments, long unpaid break or forced vacations, but the current decision to force out 500 employees is not acceptable."

Mr. Suzuki arrived in India on Wednesday and paid a visit to the company's Gurgaon plant as well as to the company's nearby Suzuki Motorcycles facility, but he avoided a visit to the riot-hit Manesar plant.

The July 18th violence at Maruti Suzuki's Manesar plant was the worst ever violence in its history of the company. It left one senior official dead and around 100 others injured.