Hero Honda willing to absorb workers to end strike

Gurgaon (Haryana), Apr 12 (UNI) Country's biggest motorcycle maker Hero Honda today said it is considering to absorb some of the contractual employees on its payroll and bring to an end the strike that has halted production for the last three days.

''We are definitely considering to absorb some of the employees on our payroll. We are working towards an amicable solution and bring an end to this as early as possible,'' Hero Honda Motors Ltd Vice President and Plant Head V S Kasbekar told reporters.

Some 2,000 contractual employees have struck work since 0630 hours on Monday demanding permanent employment. Among other things, the workers have also demanded facilities at par with the company's policies, including proper medical facilities.

''We have agreed to a lot of their demands. We are in the process of working out the modalities,'' Mr Kasbekar said.

The Hero Honda Gurgaon plant produces 5,800 motor vehicles a day.

When asked about the losses, Mr Kasbekar said, ''The strike at the Gurgaon plant will not have any long term impact on sales. We are confident of making up for the losses in the course of the year.'' ''We are making sure that there are no lapses at the dealers end,'' Mr Kasbekar said.

He said that there are enough stocks in the pipeline and the strike would not really affect the company's production.

Mr Kasbekar also said operations at the company's other plant in Dharuhera was unaffected.

Meanwhile, shares in Hero Honda ended the day 4.5 per cent lower at Rs 831.25.

UNI SR SS VC2031