Maharashtra government asks GM to increase severance pay for striking workers, Hyundai Motors to absorb workforce

The Maharashtra government has asked Hyundai Motors, which has purchased the GM India plant, to consider absorbing some of the striking workers when it aims to begin operations in 2025. 

 It has also recommended that General Motors increase the severance package offered so that workers who wish to leave are rewarded "handsomely." 

Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, recently convened a meeting at his Varsha residence in Mumbai to discuss the issues surrounding the workers.

The demands of General Motors workers were discussed in the meeting. It was also discussed that General Motors should give satisfactory compensation to these workers, and that some of them should be absorbed into the service by Hyundai Motor Company.

Senior General Motors executives, Industry Minister Uday Samant, Labour Minister Dr. Suresh Khade, Vinita Singhal, Labour Secretary and Industry Secretary Harshdeep Kamble, and MIDC CEO Vipin Sharma attended this meeting to discuss the impasse between management and workers that has forced workers to go on an indefinite hunger strike. 

"We support the workers and will work with Hyundai Motors to incorporate their demands into the upcoming Talegaon project," said the Maharashtra Chief Minister, The severance package offered to 696 GM India employees has been accepted. The remainder have filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging "illegal" termination and closure of the plant.

With the GM workers' strike gaining traction, Maharashtra Industry Minister Uday Samant is expected to visit the protest site today to encourage the workers to end their hunger strike and align with the state.

According to a General Motors employee union representative, they are pleased with the latest developments.

Workers' representatives told Autocar Professional that "unless we are given assurances that can be documented and admitted legally, we will continue our fight till the very end."