Workers at Wistron’s manufacturing plant in Kolar had caused an uproar on December 12 over the alleged delay in paying wages and overtime.
Karnataka Labor Minister Shivaram Hebbar on Sunday expressed confidence that the Taiwanese contract maker, Wistron Corporation’s iPhone manufacturing plant in Kolar, will be fully operational and ready for production within the next 20 days.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Wistron Corp officials, Hebbar said: “I have spoken with company officials and they have indicated that the factory would be operational in the next 20 days.”
Workers at the Wistron manufacturing plant in Narsapura, in the Kolar district, had wreaked havoc on 12 December over alleged late pay and overtime. Wistron had initially estimated the damage at Rs 437.7 crore, but then backtracked and said the extent of the damage was approximately Rs 50 crore. Furthermore, it had informed the Taiwan Stock Exchange in its regulatory filing that the vandalism did not cause an impact. significant.
The minister said he could not get all the details about the incident because senior factory officials were not available. He said: “We will hold a meeting in Vikas Soudha next week and determine the exact cause of the vandalism.”
Hebbar reiterated that industrial policy in the state has been simplified to attract more investment and create more jobs for the local population. He stressed that his department was committed to building a good relationship between management and workers.
Blaming the district administration for not informing the labor department or public representatives about the incident, the minister said: “The incident would have been prevented if it had been made known to us.”
He further said that management agreed to retain those who were not involved in the vandalism, while those who participated in violent acts will be removed.
On the ongoing strike at Toyota’s Kirloskar manufacturing facility in Bidadi on the outskirts of the city, the minister said the factory was closed for 26 days and that the unit’s first shift has now started, while the second shift would start in the next 10 days.
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