Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 7: The lockout problem that had been haunting rotor blade unit of Suzlon Energy near Padubidri in the district has been sorted out after prolonged dialogue between labour leaders and management of the company. The unit, which has remained closed since November 14, is being reopened today.

The workers as well as INTUC leaders have given their consent for all the conditions stipulated by the company for the reopening, on Wednesday evening.

The Suzlon blade manufacturing unit been closed from November 14 onward and the company had officially declared lockout from November 29. The company had accused its workers of forming labour organizations and creating bottlenecks in production. It had dismissed 330 workers. After this, the workers had come together and demanded
for reopening of the company.

Deputy commissioner of the district, superintendent of police, MLA, and INTUC leaders had intervened and pressurized the company management to lift the lockout. Company vice president, Vijay Asnani, who came here from Pune, had said that reopening of the unit is impossible in view of financial constraints. He had said that there is a possibility of its reopening only if the workers are agreeable to conditions that might be imposed by the company. In a prolonged meeting held on Wednesday, legislators, workers, INTUC leaders etc agreed conditions.

Asnani arrived here on Wednesday and urged the workers to agree to the remaining condition, for which they had reservations, relating to holding internal inquiry against 16 workers. The workers did not agree for the same. Therefore, the meeting continued for four hours from 2 pm to 6 pm on Wednesday after which Asnani contacted board of directors over phone and succeeded in getting permission to ammend this condition.

MLA and INTUC leaders are scheduled to hold meeting with 280 workers at 1 pm today after which workers will celebrate their victory and report for duties, said district INTUC president, Ganesh Kotian.

Dakshina Kannada district INTUC president, Manohar Shetty, INTUC state committee office bearers,Suresh, P K Abubakker, D R Narayan, Suzlon officials, Ashok Kumar Shetty, Anadi Sathi, Amar Singh and others were present.