Hyundai Motor India Limited, the second largest automobile maker in India is facing trouble at its Chennai plant with workers threatening to go on strike with regards to the issue of the reinstatement of 18 workers.
The issue has been taken up by the Hyundai Motor India Employees Union (HMIEU) which demands the reinstatement of dismissed workers who should have been taken back according to a tripartite agreement signed in December 2010. The company along with the HMIEU and the Tamil Nadu Labor commissionerate was the signee of the agreement. Although, the HMIEU is not recognized by the management of the company, the management has allowed the formation of United Union of Hyundai Employees, a new worker’s body.
In 2010, 14 of the 32 dismissed workers were reinstated and the rest were found guilty of major offences and were asked to seek legal recourse. Hyundai is currently standing firm with its former decision and rules out the possibility of reinstating the remaining dismissed workers. Moreover, speaking about the worker’s proposed strike and agitation, the company states that any such action would amount to violation of the tripartite agreement. It also said that it has been receiving strike threats throughout the year and the last one was received in August 2011.