The workers at Ford India’s Chennai plant, who have been on strike since 30 May, demanding a better severance package, have called off the strike.
However, this is just a temporary move say the workers. Post discussions with the management, the workers will decided whether to continue the strike or not.
The Company, has revised the package from 115 days to 121 days for employees who are supporting production. The Company had said that the salaries and jobs of those reporting to work and assisting production till July will be protected.
The plant will be permanently closed by the end of this month. However, with only about 1,500 EcoSport vehicles remaining to be produced for export this month, the plant is operating on a single shift.
A meeting between the workers and the management is scheduled to be held on 7 July, 2022. The number of days per year that will be taken into account is yet to be decided. Earlier, they were offered 115 days of gross wages against each year of service that they had completed.
The package offered comprised an ex-gratia amount equivalent to 87 days of last-drawn gross wages plus and a fixed sum of Rs 50,000, both for every year of service completed. The employees were also offered additional benefits worth Rs 2,40,000 and continued medical insurance till March 2024.
Of the 2,600-strong workforce at the plant, about 1,300 are on duty presently. Others will be called in if required, as the plant is rolling out about 130 cars daily.
