Date:11/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/11/stories/2006021102440200.htm

Back Trade unions form body to support Toyota workers

Our Bureau

Bangalore , Feb. 10

TOYOTA Kirloskar workers' union who are on hunger strike for the past week, got a boost on Friday with all the trade unions forming a body to support the union.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) member Mr H.V. Anathasubba Rao told newspersons that Bangalore United Trade Unions' Forum has been formed to support the cause of the Toyota Kirloskar Workers' Union. A convention will also be held on February 13 to firm up a plan to force the company's management to agree to the demands of the workers.

Apart from AITUC, seven other trade unions are part of the forum. It also plans to organise area wise campaigns from February 20 to March 4 to make people and the Government aware of the company's "anti-worker" policies, Mr Rao said. The forum will also take up the issue facing workers of other multinationals and the State and Central Governments. A general strike has also been planned sometime later, Mr Rao said.

He said a Japanese director of Toyota has been quoted as saying that if the company takes back three dismissed workers as the Honda management had done, it would send wrong signals to the workers. "The laws in the country do not guarantee unfettered freedom to hire and fire workers," Mr Rao said.

A Toyota worker said the management had started harassing the workers and it had become difficult for them to continue their work at the factory.