Trouble in Chennai

The city has come to be known as the Detroit of India for its large concentration of automakers, but a series of labour disputes have rocked it, putting a question mark over industrial peace.

Car markers such as Hyundai Motor India, BMW and Ford Motor India besides Finnish handset manufacturer Nokia India have set up their plants on the city outskirts employing more than 23,000 people.

As the city and other parts of Tamil Nadu woo more foreign and domestic companies, employees of several factories had resorted to strikes demanding recognition of Trade Union, good pay package.

• Employees of Hyundai Motor India went on a flash strike in June this year demanding that the management reinstate 67 employees dismissed earlier for demanding recognition of trade union. 
• Employees of Nokia India also resorted to strike early this year demanding wage revision. About 75 per cent of 8,000 employees working at Nokia's Sriperumbudur facility constitute women employees.  
• Strikes is in all three facilities of tyre major MRF at Arakkonam, Thiruvottiyur and in Puducherry against installation of CCTVs in Tiruvottiyur plant since it invaded their privacy.  
• About 13,000 contract workers of the public sector Neyveli Lignite Corporation have also been on strike since September 19, pressing for various demands including raising of wages and issues relating to bonus.

According to government Policy Note, the number of strikes in 2009 was about 36 and there were 13 lockouts, of which 2.10 lakh man-days were lost. This is comparatively lower to 2008 which witnessed 56 strikes and 30 lockouts with 3.87 lakh mandays lost, it said.

Source: Labour disputes rocking 'Detroit' of India - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Labour-disputes-rocking-Detroit-of-India/articleshow/6762957.cms#ixzz12imcKb8D