The Gujarat state government has ordered striking workers at Tata Motors' Sanand plant to resume work. "We have prohibited the strike under section 10(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act, and have referred the matter to the industrial tribunal in Ahmedabad," said K O Shah, additional labour commissioner of Gandhinagar. The workers have been protesting over the suspension of 28 workers by the company's management. The matter will now be handled by the tribunal, which will also decide if the striking workers should be paid wages.
Significance: Now that the strike is prohibited, Tata's management could take legal action against workers if they do not resume operations. So far, the company has taken a conciliatory approach and some management personnel even presented roses to striking workers yesterday (2 March), urging them to return to work. Previously, cracks were seemingly starting to develop among the striking workers as nearly 25 employees returned to work. The dispute stems from an old conflict that started in November 2015 when a group of workers demanded a pay increase in the wake of employee state insurance (ESI) deductions. Following an enquiry, the company suspended two workers for agitation even though the automaker agreed in principle to increase pay. The situation worsened when the remaining workers protested, demanding the reinstatement of the suspended employees. The company took action against 26 further workers on 22 February on charges of inciting other workers and damaging property. The plant primarily produces the Nano small car and is expected to start output of the Indigo CS this year as well as the soon-to-be-launched Tiago hatchback, according to IHS Automotive production estimates.
