NEW DELHI/GURGAON: The peace pact at Maruti has stirred a fresh row, with central trade unions as well as workers at the company's Manesar factory alleging that the men who spearheaded the recent agitation were "bribed" to settle the agitation. The company not only withdrew disciplinary proceedings against 30 workers who had spearheaded one of its worst labour crises, but even gave them severance packages said to be worth many times the amount due to them.
The dramatic turn of events saw top union leaders, including Sonu Gujjar and Shiv Kumar, receive a "clean chit" from the company, apart from monetary rewards that reports claim ran up to Rs 40 lakh and even more. Maruti refused to comment on the amount, while most of those "rewarded" could not be contacted. However, TOI managed to speak to Shiv Kumar - general secretary of the now defunct Maruti Suzuki Employees Union - who said he and the others had decided to resign as they were not confident of being taken back once a company-initiated enquiry against them was concluded. "We knew we did not have a chance to be back into the company. Also, not all of the 30 suspended workers were ready to carry on the fight. The management then offered us a voluntary retirement scheme under which we received the payment. We accepted it."
Kumar confirmed that the company's goodies to them included a "clean" experience letter so that they can apply elsewhere. The move is seen as an attempt by the company to ensure there is no further trouble in its Manesar plant.
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