Beleaguered automobile company Hindustan Motors Ltd has written to its management and executive cadre, asking them to “separate” themselves from the company as their employment has come to an end.
“Your employment will come to an end with expiry of your notice period as applicable to your grade,” the letter said, adding that all dues till May 31, 2014 will be paid.
When contacted for their response by The Hindu , the company said “managerial restructuring has been an on-going process over the last 2-3 years and continues in an effort to optimise workflow whilst retaining staff that remains critical to the continuity of operations.”
Reports available at the plant suggested that some 250 of the 295 strong managerial personnel have been identified for this separation exercise, which commenced mid-week.
However, the company declined to confirm this figure. There are some 2,600 permanent employees at Uttarpara and 50 contract workers.
Explaining its position, the company said that Hindustan Motors was no exception to the global downswing in the automobile industry and the demand for its only product (Ambassador car at Uttarpara) had plunged. Therefore, it was not economically viable to continue manufacturing operations here.
BJMM offers support
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Mazdoor Manch on Friday extended its support to the 2,300 workers. The outfit, affiliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party, said they were willing to extend all assistance for reviving the Uttarpara unit. The BJMM leaders visited the workers here on Friday morning.
Despondency rules at the factory gates, which have remained shut on employees for a week now. There are reports that they had assembled cars on the eve of the production suspension and had no inkling of the “misfortune” awaiting them the next morning. The unionised workers said that they were now deeply worried about keeping together their home and hearth as the company has piled up a substantial backlog of wages.
It recently paid Rs. 7,000 to employees, saying that this was an advance. This followed a request by the State Labour Minister. While two rounds of bipartite meetings have been held between the State government and the management, efforts were now on to have a tripartite meet.
