Sacked Maruti workers to observe 'national protest day'

While India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki is making headlines for its bullish run on the stock market, workers sacked and jailed after the July violence at the Manesar plant faced with what they call 'the toughest times in our struggle,' have announced an 'all-India day of solidarity action' on Tuesday (February 5).

Following the July incident, the entire leadership of the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU) was jailed and a seven-member provisional working committee formed demanding an independent inquiry into the incident, release of the jailed workers and re-instatement of the sacked permanent workers. (Read report here)

[caption id="attachment_610172" align="alignleft" width="380"] Maruti workers are to protest on Feb 5. AP[/caption]

Drawing attention seems to be a fresh crackdown on activities by the new committee, Ramniwas, a committee member, said, "Imaan Khan, who is a leading member of the provisional committee, was picked up by the police on January 24 from Gurgaon while he was addressing a press conference. Imaan Khan has no history of cases against him and was in no way involved in the July incident.

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His arrest is one of reasons why we are holding this protest," Ramniwas said that while the atmosphere at the Manesar plant remains calm and production is going on smoothly workers were under pressure not to associate with union workers. "Those who are in touch with us are either being transferred or being given warning letters."

On the timing of the 'national protest day', Ramniwas said: "Trade unions from other states approached us, wanting to hold demonstrations in support of our struggle. February 5 was acceptable to all. Unions in 19 states, including Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana will hold demonstrations in their respective cities. In Delhi, the protest will be held at Jantar Mantar."

In a statement to the press, the committee states, "Since 18th July 2012, after the unfortunate incident in the factory premises as part of a management-woven conspiracy, we workers have been continually facing the brunt of repression. The company-management has at once terminated the jobs of over 1500 contract workers along with 546 permanent workers. They have, with the help of the state administration, heaped fabricated cases ranging from arson to murder on 211 of our fellow workers, while 149 workers, including our entire Union leadership, continue to languish in jail for the last six months. Keeping aside all legality, workers and our families have continuously faced brute police atrocities."