Madras High Court Orders Covid-Linked Audit Of Renault-Nissan Plant

Auto major Renault-Nissan will undergo inspection by government officials tomorrow over its compliance with COVID-19 safety precautions, the Madras High Court said as the workers went on strike today, alleging that protocols were not maintained at the Sriperumbudur plant. A few workers have died of Covid and the employees have been demanding that the company maintain strict safety norms.

The workers, who went to court earlier, say social distancing in the plant will be possible only if a gap is maintained between two vehicles in the assembly line and only three to four men work on each. Instead, six to eight men are working on each car in the current set-up.

The workers have demanded that corrective measures be taken immediately and social distancing norms be maintained. Their other demands include rehabilitation of families of the workers who died and medical treatment of those who are ailing.

Renault-Nissan has said it suspended operations on May 26 after a few workers died of Covid. "We are currently reviewing our current safety protocols, and future safety measures, and continue to close and constructive dialogue with the union representatives so that, together, we can ensure the highest standards of safety are in place for when the plant resumes operations," Renault-Nissan said in a statement.

In court today, Nissan Motor, the Indian partner of Renault, claimed it has taken all necessary precautions.

The court said a senior official from the Directorate of Industrial Safety will visit the plant tomorrow to check on the safety measures. The company has also been asked to indicate the number of workmen infected.

"Distancing norms have to be maintained without exception," the court said, directing the management and workers to arrive at an amicable solution. The inspection, the court added, will give the workers an opportunity to meet the government official.

It is hoped that all safety norms are in place and no compromises have been made to keep up the production, the judges said.

Manufacturing in Tamil Nadu has suffered over the last months following an explosion of Covid cases in the state. Tamil Nadu has been among the states hit worst by the virus, and has 3,01,781 active patients.

Work had stopped at the plants of auto majors Renault-Nissan, Ford and Hyundai last week after protests by workers, many of whom contracted Covid in the auto manufacturing hub near Chennai.

Renault-Nissan said it has reduced production at the plant, its only manufacturing base in India, to 7,129 cars during the 13 working days in May against a target of 18,852 cars, reported news agency Reuters. In April, it manufactured 17,207 cars, Reuters reported.