Trade unions demand release of jailed Maruti workers

Around 20 trade unions today held a demonstration at Jantar Mantar here demanding release of 149 workers of Maruti Suzuki India's Gurgaon plant who are in jail for last six months.

The trade unions also submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda seeking release of the workers.

Violence had broken out on July 18 last year at the Manesar plant of the company in which one senior executive was killed. Later, the company had fired around 500 workers.

Police had arrested 149 of workers, including the office bearers of Maruti Suzuki Workers Union (MSWU), for their alleged involvement in the violence.

"The trade unions today protested in total 15 states. We have submitted memorandums to CMs of all the 15 states including the Haryana Chief Minister," said Subhasini, an activist of Bigul Mazdoor Dasta.

The matter is political rather than sub-judice and the state government should ensure the release of workers, Indian Federation of Trade Unions' Mrigank said.

Rakhi Sehgal of New Trade Union Initiative noted that exploitation of workers was responsible for the July 18 incident.

The unions also demanded the reinstatement of suspended workers.