Production resumes at Maruti Suzuki India (MSI)'s Manesar Unit

Maruti Suzuki Indian (MSI) has begun to roll out cars from its Manesar plant since it looks to normalise operations, even as tension between the management and workers continued for that third day.

"MSI began assembly operations at Manesar this morning. The factory could roll out its first Swift since production was halted on Monday, " a business spokesperson said.

In the last two days, the company had done the floor work for resumption of work in the press, weld and paint shops by getting additional workers. These sections of the plant are highly automated, he additional.

"The company brought in 120 ITI-trained workers this morning to the Manesar plant on the contract basis to strengthen the manpower for assembly operations, " the spokesperson stated.

In addition, 50 engineers from the Gurgaon plant and 290 supervisors will work at the Manesar plant. The engineers are strengthening quality systems and get yourself ready for a ramp-up, he said.

Production at the Manesar plant had been in a complete halt since Monday after the company decided to force workers in order to sign a 'good conduct bond' before entering the factory premises following supposed "sabotage", resulting in quality issues that arose last week.

So far, 40-odd long term workers have signed the bond, the spokesperson said.

Yesterday, MSI suspended sixteen more permanent workers, taking the total to 26, while the services associated with another 12 trainees were discontinued, in addition to six earlier, at the actual plant.

With vehicle production being completely affected for the second day, MSI has suffered approximately production loss of about 2, 400 units, valued at around Rs 120 crore until yesterday.

The workers, however, had said the management was taking these steps in "revenge" for his or her 13-day strike in June demanding the recognition of a new union -- the Maruti Suzuki Employees Union (MSEU) -- in the plant located in Haryana.