VasuBansal_HRLP001_MarutiManesarCase

MARUTI MANESAR - CASE ANALYSIS

Globally, India has been accepted as a manufacturing base and a safe investment destination. Acts of violence, besides physically shedding blood and shutdowns, has tarnished the image of India, especially in view of the economic slowdown. It’s the responsibility of every Indian to ensure that incidents like Maruti Suzuki Manesar plant case are not repeated in future. We have to chart out a course to maintain cordial industrial relations and also ensure that nobody takes law into his hand.

The day 18^thJuly’12 has been unimaginable for most of us. We lost a HR professional to mindless workplace violence. The profession lost a person who stood at his post and gave up his life doing his duty. It’s not only the killing of a HR professional but the killing of a union worker, the critical injuries to scores of employees - Managers and Workers at Maruti. 

 The following points could be reasons for such violence:-

• Japanese always expected productivity without considering the emotions of manpower at workplace.
• Interpersonal relations at different levels were not conducive for healthy relations.
• Salary related issues including housing & healthcare were indecisive for a prolonged time.
• Revival of trust was required at all levels.
• Organizational structure & balance needs immediate attention.
• A seven-minute tea break and abusive supervisors

The justification for the violence at work place is due to social divide. But to equate that with what happened in Maruti is insane.

There is nothing wrong in expecting discipline & productivity from workers at workplace. Senior management should enforce rules & regulations to maintain workplace discipline & productivity. At the same time, if executives deny the workers dignity and respect and also equitable wage for similar jobs done, it is equally condemnable. Employing disproportionate workforce on contract, especially when it is core to the business is always questionable. The same applies to the denial of ownership to ensure the social security benefits and leaving it to contractors who have no scruples. We also cannot justify the 100 time wage multiple between the lowest paid and the CEO. All above points doesn’t justify crime & violence by any means at a workplace.

In conclusion, there could have been possible steps which could still resolve the problem in amicable way. The industry leaders, central trade unions and the labour department officials should sit together and work out a process for a work place which is just, fair, equitable and violence -free. The steps could be as under:-

•  Rebuilding of connection between India & Maruti:- A campaign to associate Maruti’s image with that of India will foster unity amongst all employees.
• Corporate Social Responsibility campaign of Maruti:-  Maruti traditional CSR campaign that undertakes fund raising for education & healthcare of labour families, which will prevent further support for planned violence.
• Video documentation of a Day in Life of a Maruti worker:- Due to conflicting reported versions of labour conditions at Maruti, Maruti should authorize a video documentary on improved work conditions at the plant.
•  Clarity on Haryana Government Inaction on Labour laws:- Demonstrate that the work policies at Maruti Manesar were in accordance with state labour policies.