Striking Factory Workers In India Detained During Protest

A protest march resulted in police detaining motorcycle factory workers on strike against management in India. Police claim that the striking workers did not have the proper permits for such a protest.

MORE ON THE STRIKE

Indian Royal Enfield and Yamaha Workers Strike Over Wages

Arrival of New Royal Enfield Models Delayed

Factory workers from Royal Enfield, Yamaha, and Myoung Shin India (a supplier of Hyundai India) have been on strike since September 24. Management has shunned their efforts to form unions and demand salary increases, as well as the reinstatement of workers allegedly fired for wanting to start a union. Despite attempts to negotiate before the strike began, management refused to attend three meetings in August and September before the strike began. As a result, Yamaha's factory is operating at just 40 percent capacity thanks to 700 of its workers on strike, Meanwhile, Royal Enfield's production has ceased completely, potentially delaying the introduction of new models even further.

The latest development in this strike involved a march of nearly 1,500 workers from the factory complex near Oragadam to a government office in Kancheepuram, 20 miles away, to bring more attention to their dispute. Police stopped the protest in Tamil Nadu, claiming that the strikers had not obtained the proper permission to hold a march. Police detained the protesters for five hours, using nearby wedding halls as a holding area, before releasing them. They were not charged with any crimes, and no violence was reported.

This setback will not deter the striking workers, however. They intend to intensify their efforts as the companies they are striking against continue refusing to work with them. Salespeople will soon join factory workers in the strike, and employees from 50 other companies in the area will also join in. It looks like the situation will continue to get worse before it gets better as a result of these strikes.

Source: News18