BYD company, supplier of mobile instrument components to Nokia company, has declared indefinite lockout of its manufacturing plant at Oragadam.
Enquiries reveal that a section of employees of BYD company was demanding introduction of three-shift pattern and recognition of CITU as workers union by the company management. A meeting in this regard was said to have been held at the Joint Commissioner (Labour) office, Chennai a fortnight ago, where it was decided that another round of talks would be held on November 8 to discuss the workers' demand.
Meanwhile, the workers suddenly resorted to a “stay-in strike” at the manufacturing plant from last Thursday (October 28), police said, and had also lodged a complaint with the human rights authorities that food and other facilities were not extended to them. When human rights authorities rushed to the industrial unit, the company authorities told them that canteen facility was shut down since the workers resorted to illegal “sit-in strike.” Subsequently, the human rights authorities instructed the company officials to provide food and beverages to the employees on humanitarian basis on Thursday night.
More than 2,600 workers continued their “sit-in strike” on Friday as the negotiations between the top company officials and representatives of striking employees failed.
Subsequently, police said, on Saturday morning two manpower agencies – Divya Manpower Agency and Uphort manpower Agency – engaged by BYD company for supply of skilled/unskilled workforce, lodged a complaint with the police stating that their men deputed to work at BYD manufacturing plant were illegally detained at the company premises by a group of 27 employees, who were spearheading the agitation.
Immediately, a team of policemen went to the company premises and informed the agitating employees that they would be forcibly removed from the company premises if they refuse to leave the place on their own. Subsequently, the agitating employees withdrew their “sit-in strike” and dispersed.
Following this, the company declared holiday on Sunday and pasted lockout notice on the main entrance on Monday.
