For the workers at the Maruti Suzuki plant in India, 18 July marks an unwanted anniversary filled with flagrant anti-union behavior from the police and authorities. Attempting to put end to the repression, a hunger strike is planned.

After the violent incident on 18 July last year in which a manager at Manesar plant of Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) died, 147 workers have been held in Gurgaon jail without being granted bail. An additional 66 workers have outstanding non-bailable arrest warrants. 2,300 workers have lost their jobs, and it has been a year where thousands of families have been devastated economically and emotionally.

On 23 June the General Body of the Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU) decided, following continued struggle and solidarity action, to protest against the injustice of persecution when voicing their legitimate rights.

The demands related to the hunger strike are two-fold:

1. Release arrested workers and activists.

2. Reinstate all terminated workers of the three plants of Maruti Suzuki Manesar.

The struggle will continue until the above mentioned demands are met.

Letter

I call upon the Government of Haryana to immediately release the arrested 157 workers on bail; reinstate 2,300 dismissed regular and contract workers; and direct the management to negotiate with Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU).

To sign and send:

http://www.labourstartcampaigns.net/show_campaign.cgi?c=1889&src=lsmm