Bajaj Auto’s Workers’ Union Asks For Temporary Halt Of Production At Aurangabad Facility

According to ET Auto, the manufacturer said that a total of 140 employees have tested positive at its Aurangabad facility. The Union is concerned about the virus spreading within the facility as they work in close proximity to each other.

Factory employees say that they are bound to touch the same surfaces at regular intervals even with social distancing protocols in place.

Mr Thengade Bajirao, the President of the Workers' Union at Bajaj Auto said,"We received the information from the management on Sunday afternoon that the workers at Waluj district will have to stay at home on Monday, and come back on Tuesday to get tested for Covid."

Another member of the Workers' Union said, "We do not have an update of what happens post Tuesday. It is a risky situation. One of the workers who tested positive on Sunday has now passed on the virus to his younger daughter at home. We have urged the management to consider shutting the plant for the next two weeks for everyone's safety, but it seems highly unlikely."

A separate statement released by Bajaj Auto on Friday read, "We have more than 8,100 employees and contractors in our Waluj plant. Our current incidence of 140 cases of Covid is less than 2 percent of our strength. The two deceased had underlying conditions of hypertension and diabetes. Operations continue normally with all necessary safety measures."

Mr Rajiv Bajaj, the Managing Director at Bajaj Auto said that companies will not survive by halting operation and paying salaries to employees. He also added that employees were free to stay at home until the situation is back to normal but a no-work-no-pay policy would be in effect.

In addition, the Gram Panchayat of Waluj in Aurangabad has passed a resolution that discourages residents from going to work at the Waluj Industrial area after the fresh Covid-19 cases at Bajaj's facility.

Thoughts About The Workers' Union At Bajaj Auto Requesting For A Halt In Production

We don't blame the Union for asking for a temporary halt in production at the facility. The masses are afraid of contracting the highly contagious disease. Having said that, this is bad news for the two-wheeler industry, considering the market is showing positive growth.