Japanese auto replacement parts manufacturer Unipres Co., Ltd. has refused 127 full-time employees to work due to a “violation” of forming a labor union. For over 60 days since August 24, workers have been denied entry to the factory at Sipkot in Oragadam in Kancheepuram district.
As per custom, Unipres India Tojilal Sangam, CITU member Unipres raised a union flag and installed a name board outside its factory on August 23. However, to the shock of the workers, SIPCOT and Unipres management bulldozed the nameplates and flags.
Within the next half hour, the workers raised the flag again. They called for a rally. Weavers and autorickshaw unions also participated and the flag was hoisted by CITU state secretary A Soundararajan. Since then, Unipres has been denying employees work as punishment for exercising their right to unionize.
“I refuse to participate in the talks.”
CITU has requested the Tamil Nadu government to intervene in the illegal denial of work by the Unipres management. Negotiations are pending with the Labor Department. Meanwhile, CITU accused Unipres of hiring unskilled workers and indulging in illegal production.
The state labor department said Unipres should not stop workers from reporting to work. They should be allowed to work and participate in regular mediation negotiations, the ministry declared.
However, Unipres did not participate in the consultations convened by the Labor Relations Commission on September 27.
CITU has made it clear that it is ready to negotiate with management, but management’s attempts to wipe out the union are unacceptable.
Unipres management has refused to recognize the union since its establishment. This is part of the large-scale repression faced by trade unions in state-run industrial estates in Tamil Nadu.
police use of force
On September 28, the Tamil Nadu Police arrested a worker who was participating in a fasting protest.
E. Muthukumar said: “A massive crackdown is being imposed on us by denying permission to peaceful protests.”
“The police are supporting the illegal actions of factories that disrespect the government’s labor department and use force against workers who are sitting in protests. We strongly condemn this trend,” he said. Ta.
Stating that “denial of the right to form a trade union is tantamount to denying a constitutional right,” CITU Kancheepuram called for a demonstration in front of Renault-Nissan Company in Oragadam, a purchaser of Unipres products, on October 31. We required supplier companies to: Act in accordance with the law.
news click We contacted Unipres Co., Ltd. via its official website, but there was no response.