Honda Workers in Manesar Protest Layoffs, Company Stops Production

The massive protest by Honda workers outside the company’s Manesar plant has gone on for over a fortnight now.

The protest by Honda workers outside the company’s Manesar plant has gone on for over a fortnight now.

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Ashish Maccune

“I have been working at Honda for around 10-12 years. Now, the company has laid us off without any notice.”

Former contract worker at Honda

21 November was Day 17 of the massive protest by Honda workers in the auto hub of Manesar in Haryana.

The protest, which has gained momentum and now reportedly has a strength of over 2,000 people, began on 5 November as an attempt to decry the mass layoffs of contract workers at the Honda plant.

In response, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India suspended production indefinitely at its plant in Manesar.

Honda workers protest outside the company’s plant in Manesar.(Photo: The Quint)

The protest was triggered by Honda reportedly sacking around 650 contract workers over a period of 10 days.

“The reason we are sitting here in protest is that the company laid off a thousand of our colleagues before Diwali citing the economic slowdown. Then, after Diwali, another 400 to 500 employees were laid off.”

Former contract worker at Honda

The huge slowdown in the auto sector has been cited as the reason for the mass layoffs.

Jalinder Golhar, Organisation Secretary of the Honda Motorcycles and Scooters Employees Union, criticises the company’s decision to suspend production, “The company has illegally shut down production, putting even the permanent workers out of work.”

What Are the Demands of the Protesting Workers?

The protesting employees are demanding either reinstatement, or compensation of Rs 1 lakh per worker for each year of service.

“Our demand is that we get back our jobs and be made permanent workers or else, at least be given a worthy compensation so that we may sustain our families.”

Former contract worker at Honda

The worker adds, “We have put in a lot of our valuable time and effort for the progress of the company. The company has grown due to our efforts. But now they have thrown us out without any notice.”

What next for the protesting workers?

One of the contract workers responds, “All the trade unions are supporting us. On 22 November, we will go on a protest march from Manesar to Gurugram.”

(Note: The Quint has reached out to Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India for their response to the demands made by the protesters. This article will be updated if and when the company replies.)