Toyota Kirloskar Motors production hampered due to labour unrest

Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) is facing the biggest unrest in the production, even after resolving problems with the labour union and signing the 'good conduct' letter. The company is still asking labours to rejoin the production facility. It is almost 12 days since the plant reopened after the lockout and out of 4200 labour union employees only 300 of them returned to work. The company houses 6,400 blue collar employees out of which 4,200 are the members of the TKM Corporation Employees Union, remaining 2,200 are on contract agreement.

"Our production has declined 50 percent to 350 cars from 700 cars a day, as the twin plants are operating in one shift with about 1,200 supervisors, technicians, apprentices and contract labourers," Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd vice-chairman Satish Viswanathan commented.

Toyota Kirloaskar Motor Ltd plant produced Etios sedan and Liva, the new Corolla Altis, Camry Saloon, Prado and Land Cruiser and the hot selling Innova MPV and Fortuner SUV. The list include both locally manufactures products and imported ones (through CKD or CBU). The plant is located in Bidadi industrial township, nearly 30km away from Bengaluru.

The Japanese manufacturer churned out 9,160 units in the month of March which is dramatically low compared to 19,000 units in the month of February. The pant has an annual production capacity of 310,000 units.

The plant witnessed lockout from March 15-23 and reopened on March 24. "We were forced to declare lockout after production dropped to 70 percent from 95 percent during the first fortnight of March and due to unrest caused by a section of the workers, raising safety concerns of supervisors, managerial staff and plant machinery," Viswanathan added. He also said around 30 employees suspended for threatening technical and supervisory staff, doing misconduct and unachieved production targets.