Workers at Yamaha, Royal Enfield firm on demand for union; talks inconclusive

Hit by labour strife for the past few days, the managements of Royal Enfield and Yamaha have not been able to find an amicable solution to resume normal operations at their respective plants in Oragadam, off Chennai.

On Wednesday, talks between the labourers’ representatives and managements of the two companies before the Joint Labour Commissioner, Chennai, remained inconclusive.

Workers at the manufacturing plants of both firms have been on strike for a while over the issue of forming unions.

More drama unfolded at the Yamaha plant in Oragadam on Wednesday when striking employees climbed atop trees and iron structures inside the premises when police tried to clear them following a Madras High Court order. On Tuesday, the court had directed the Inspector of Police, Sriperumbudur, to ensure that the ongoing demonstration by the staff of Yamaha was held 200 metres away from the factory premises, on a petition filed by the company.

Police pickets have been posted near the main entrance of the Royal Enfield manufacturing plant at the Oragadam Industrial Estate as a precautionary measure.

“The unions are interpreting the order in a different manner. We are asking those protesting to obey the High Court order. The situation is now under control,” a police official said. He also said there were about 650 employees protesting in front of the Yamaha plant and about 80 employees in front of the Royal Enfield plant.

Oragadam, near Chennai, is one of the key manufacturing hubs housing firms such as Yamaha, Royal Enfield, Renault Nissan, Apollo Tyres, JK Tyres and Daimler, among others.

A section of the workers is firm on forming unions to fight for their rights. However, the managements are opposing the move.

Workers at Royal Enfield went on strike from Monday. At the Yamaha Motor India’s plant at Oragadam, more than 750 permanent workers are on strike, which entered the sixth day on Wednesday.

The dispute reached the Labour Department on Wednesday. Ponnusamy, Joint Labour Commissioner, Chennai, held talks with the representatives of managements and workers of both the firms. He held several rounds of talks with the parties. Talks began at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, and lasted till evening. The talks remained inconclusive, and will resume on Thursday.

S. Kannan, president, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Kancheepuram district, said that they met the Joint Commissioner, Additional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Labour. “Only the HR representative turned up from Yamaha. We have two requests. One, reinstate the two employees who have been suspended. Two, the company should not penalise the employees who are protesting,” he added.

Mr. Kannan also said production was being carried out at the Yamaha plant with the help of trainees and contract workers.

R. Sampath, vice-president, Royal Enfield Employees Union, which is part of the Working People Trade Union Council (WPTUC), said that the union formation and payment of bonus were their key demands.

A spokesperson from Yamaha declined to comment. Royal Enfield reiterated its earlier statement that the firm had a forum that addressed matters related to the well-being of workmen and was working to understand the issue that compelled a few workmen to refrain from reporting for work. “We are hopeful of arriving at a mutually beneficial solution,” the statement added.

For Yamaha, the plant is of strategic importance with its output slated to hit 9 lakh units per annum in 2019. The facility was started in March 2015, with a production capacity of 4.5 lakh units. The plant is also used as an export hub for African market, ASEAN and Latin American countries, besides catering to the local market.

Royal Enfield began production at its Vallam Vadagal plant near Chennai in August 2017 with a manufacturing capacity of 3 lakh units per annum, after completing construction of the phase-1 of facility in 15 months. The company has now commenced its phase-2 expansion at the plant and earmarked ₹800 crore for the purpose.

(With inputs from

V. Venkatasubramanian)