UDUPI: Suzlon Energy suspended its operations at its facility near Padubidri for the second day on Wednesday while its workers held a protest under the banner of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC).Suzlon, which has been manufacturing rotor blades for windmills for the past nine years, had suspended its operations on Tuesday stating that the workers had been engaged in ‘go slow tactics’ resulting in a dip in the production.
However, this did not go down well with 300 workers, including 270 contract employees. Addressing the protesters, president of Udupi district unit of INTUC, Ganesh Kotian, said the lockout was illegal and the government should intervene to it sort out. Udupi DC Priyanka Mary Francis reported the matter to the secretary of Labour Department and SEZ Development Commissioner Dr Safeena A N, based in Kochi.
As Suzlon Energy is located in the jurisdiction of Kochi Special Economic Zone, Assistant Development Commissioner is expected to arrive at the site by Thursday.
Priyanka told Express that the lockout was illegal as there was no 14-day prior notice to the workers. According to sources, the market for the rotor blade has collapsed for seven months. The company has about 600 rotor blades in the stock, but there is no demand. Last week, a commotion had broken out at the company’s site in Padubidri after 130 employees were removed from their jobs. On the direction of SP Sanjeev Patil, nine employees were taken back.