New Delhi:
The strike at Maruti Suzuki India's (MSI) Manesar plant continued for the eighth day despite the Haryana government banning it yesterday, while the loss to the company mounted to about Rs 390 crore.
Intense negotiations were continuing with Gurgaon Labour Commissioner J P Mann trying to bring an amicable solution to the impasse between the 2,000 striking workers and the management.
"The strike is continuing. The situation is same as yesterday...So far, the total production loss is around 7,800 units," a senior company official told PTI.
As per industry estimates, the value of the loss is around Rs 390 crore.
Meanwhile, All India Trade Union Congress leaders Gurudas Dasgupta and D L Sachdev met Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in the national capital for the second time in two days seeking his intervention for an amicable solution.
"The Chief Minister responded positively and told us that he has asked his Labour Minister and Labour Commissioner to resolve the matter," Sachdev said.
He said the Labour Department officials, who have been mediating, have sought authorisation letter from the workers nominating representatives to negotiate on their behalf.
Yesterday, the Haryana government imposed a ban on the strike and referred the matter to a labour court. The move comes amid threats of the week-long stir spreading to the Gurgaon-Manesar industrial belt.
Undeterred by the step, a panel of workers of various firms in the region, who have been supporting their colleagues at the Maruti facility, said they would take up various actions, including dharnas and rallies from Monday, and would even consider going on a strike at their respective factories.
Around 2,000 workers at MSI's plant here have been on strike since June 4 demanding recognition of a new union - Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU) - formed by those working at the Manesar plant, among other things.
The Manesar plant rolls out about 1,200 units every day in two shifts.
The factory produces hatchbacks Swift and A-Star and sedans DZiRE and SX4.