Maruti vendors mull laying off labourers

Accessory units say business hit, will be forced to sack workers if crisis continues.

Employees of accessory units of Maruti Suzuki India Limited are facing the heat of the continuing stalemate and lockout at the auto major’s Manesar plant. There are more than 500 accessory units in the auto belt of Haryana, supplying parts for the car maker.

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“The duration of shifts has already shrunk from 12 hours to eight hours a day and if the lockout continues at Maruti, we won’t have a choice but to ask labourers to stop coming to work,” said Vedpal of Haryana Industries, a firm that makes gear assembly, engine and seat components for Maruti cars.

The company has around 700 workers at its plants in Behrampur Road and Udyog Vihar.

Vedpal said his company’s orders have halved ever since the Maruti impasse.

“Luckily, there has been no labour unrest in Maruti’s Gurgaon plant so far,” said an industrialist who makes sheet components for Maruti.

“We will be in a bad shape if the production doesn’t begin at Maruti’s Manesar plant soon,” said PN Sadhu of Sunbeam Auto that manufactures engine mounting brackets, inlet pipes and oil drainers for the car maker.

“When there is a boom in the market, more and more workers could be accommodated. The lockout at Maruti plant spells more trouble for employment prospects of workers,” added Singla.