Bajaj Auto Rejects Charges Of ‘Anti-Worker Activities’

The workers' union at Bajaj Auto, the Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana has called for a two-day hunger strike on January 7 and 8 in front of the company's Akurdi plant in Pune.

Bajaj Auto has termed the demands as "unreasonable and unrelated" and stated that the union has been raising "unwarranted demands" during the wage review process and has always been delaying the process.

In a press note, Bajaj Auto Sr Vice President, Kailash J Zanzari said, "The union should not raise the issues which are in fact non-existent and extend full support in growth and development of the company rather than creating unnecessary hindrances in smooth functioning of the company."

Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana has asked for reinstatement of the workers from its Chakan plant, who were dismissed in the financial year 2013-14 from the services.

Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana had written a letter addressed to Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj which read, "It will undertake a hunger strike at the Shahid Datta Padale statue, opposite Bajaj Auto gate, Akurdi, on January 7-8 against anti workers and anti-union activities of the Bajaj management."

The letter also stated that Bajaj Auto has deliberately transferred the active members of the union and has issued false charge sheets and show cause letters to the workers.

The union claims that the wage review process, which was supposed to be effective from April 1, 2016, is yet to be finalised. The Vishwa Kalyan Kamgar Sanghatana has around 1,000 members in company's Akurdi and Chakan manufacturing plant.