Sacked workers of Hyundai protest, arrested

CHENNAI: Twenty-three sacked employees of Hyundai Motor India plant in Sriperumbudur were arrested on Wednesday morning after they staged a protest in front of the factory gate demanding reinstatement. The arrested were released on bail in the evening.

Officials of Hyundai Motor India Employees Union, an affiliate of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU ), said that the arrest was needless and unwarranted. The union, which is fighting for its recognition by the Hyundai management, said it will continue with its agitation till the sacked employees were taken back by Hyundai. "Our union colleagues are working in the factory without eating anything from the canteen for the past 17 days. We will continue our stir and plan our next course of action ," R Sridhar, general secretary of HMIEU, said. The union alleged that Hyundai management has not been taken back under 33 employees under a tripartite agreement signed in December with the state's labour department last year. "Of that 33, barring 10 who are living elsewhere in Tamil Nadu, 23 staged a dharna today and were arrested," Sridhar said on Wednesday.