Approximately a year after the last labour unrest, it doesn't seem like Maruti's Manesar factory has resolved its labour issues. This time the clash has turned violent, leaving one person dead and over 80 injured. The management alleges that a supervisor was slapped by a junior employee. The workers claim that the supervisor made a 'casteist' remark to an employee.
The result was that the junior worker was suspended, which made other workers protest. Things then escalated to the point where workers forced their way into a conference room where the management was meeting to decide what to do. Around the same time five places in the factory were set on fire, including the control room and assembly line. Gurgaon police commissioner KK Sindhu confirmed later that a burned body was recovered from one of the sites. An FIR has been filed against some 60 workers under sections of murder, attempt to murder, causing grevious injuries, damage to properties etc.
The factory produces mostly the Swift and Dzire, and has currently suspended production. There is no word yet on when production will resume.
