Karnataka asks TKM to end impasse, workers’ union to decide on re-joining duty

The Karnataka government has told Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) and the agitating workers union to end their standoff and restore normalcy in the car manufacturing plants in Bidadi industrial estate, near Banglaore. Out of TKM’s total workforce of 6,500 employees, around 4,200 workers are attached to the TKM Workers Union.

Talking to Autocar Professional at around 1.00pm today, R Sathish, general secretary of TKMWU, said the government has issued an order prohibiting the lockout at both the car factories in Bidadi.

After the company lifted the lockout on March 24, he said the management was pressing the workers to sign a ‘good conduct’ undertaking before returning to work. But now with the government intervening, he said the management has withdrawn its condition.

However, the TKMWU is convening its general body meeting later today to discuss the matter. “Around 4,200 workers will participate in the meeting and we will take decision over our future course of action. We will discuss when to re-join duty,” said Sathish.

In its statement issued on April 19, TKM management had said, “The Karnataka government, in order to maintain industrial peace and harmony, has issued an order asking the company and the union to restore normalcy in operations, immediately. All relevant issues, between the workers and the management have been referred for adjudication.”

During the past two weeks, the Karnataka government remained silent on the issue so as to comply with the code of conduct in line with the parliamentary elections. As the state elections were over on April 17, the government has intervened, a top level labour department official said, requesting anonymity.