Hyundai strike ends

The 17-day strike by workers at Hyundai Motor India's Sriperumbudur factory ended after a meeting of workers' representatives, the company management and the labour board in Chennai.

A Sounderrajan, president of Centre for Indian Trade Unions' Tamil Nadu arm, said the workers had decided to call the strike off after the management agreed that it would not come to any wage revision settlement with the working committee till May 20, give item-wise reply on the 45 demands of workers, and not take action against workers after they return to work.

One of the main demands, that the management recognise the employees union, has not been conceded, according to Sounderrajan, who is also the honorary of the workers' body seeking recognition as the union.

Speaking about the wage revision, he said the company used to give increments every three years. The previous wage structure ended on March 31 this year, and the new one was to come into force on April 1. He refused to comment on the course of action on the wage issue, saying, "We will do something."

The demands include an increase in the minimum wage, which is Rs 8,000, and explanations for dismissing 65 workers and suspending another 34.