Police crack down on Maruti workers’ protest in Manesar as movement continues to grow

By Harsh Thakor* 

On January 29 at around 11 a.m., Manesar police detained about 100 Maruti workers from their protest site, which had been ongoing since September 18, 2024. The police dismantled their tents and placards before transporting them by bus to Pataudi, instructing them not to return to Manesar. They cited the imposition of Section 144 by the Gurgaon District Collector, though no official order was provided to the workers.

On January 27, Maruti management filed a civil suit against the workers. The court ruled that they could conduct peaceful protests but only outside a 500-meter radius of the factory. Despite this, the Haryana police disrupted their gathering, preventing them from demonstrating near the factory. In response, Maruti Suzuki Asthayi Mazdoor Sangh has planned a peaceful protest at the Manesar Tehsil dharna site.

On January 30, thousands of temporary workers—current and former employees of Maruti—will assemble under the banner of Maruti Suzuki Asthayi Mazdoor Sangh. Their demands include permanent employment, valid training certificates, salary increases, and equal pay for equal work.

The Maruti management has sought to divide workers through employment categories such as contract workers, apprentices, and trainees while resisting unionization efforts. The recent mobilization of temporary workers has unsettled the company, prompting intervention from the police and administration to suppress the protest. The workers remain committed to a peaceful demonstration, adhering to legal provisions.

The core grievances fueling the protest include excessive workloads, low wages, and the widespread use of contract workers in production. These issues have led to growing unrest and a renewed push for workers' rights.

Background

On January 5, 2025, over 3,000 non-permanent workers—including contract, trainee, and apprentice workers—gathered in Gurgaon to demand permanent jobs, equal pay, and salary hikes. Many traveled from Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Odisha to attend. During this meeting, they formed the Maruti Suzuki Asthayi Mazdoor Sangh and drafted a charter of demands.

The movement draws support from dismissed permanent workers of Maruti Suzuki, who have been fighting for reinstatement since 2012. These workers, organized under the Maruti Suzuki Sangharsh Committee, have been protesting unfair dismissals and advocating for temporary workers' rights.

On January 9, the workers submitted their demands to Maruti's management and, the next day, to the Gurgaon Labour Department, challenging the company’s labor practices. They demand an end to the reliance on temporary workers for permanent production roles, equal pay, and permanent employment for existing temporary workers, including at Maruti's new plant in Kharkhoda, Sonipat.

The terminated permanent workers have maintained an indefinite protest at IMT Manesar since September 18, 2024, playing a key role in mobilizing temporary workers. Many argue that the current agitation continues the struggle that began in 2012.

A major point of contention is the stark pay disparity: permanent workers earn an average monthly salary of ₹1,30,000, while non-permanent workers earn between ₹18,000 and ₹30,000. Additionally, temporary workers face deductions for leave and production fluctuations, further exacerbating inequality.

The movement continues to grow, with temporary and permanent workers uniting in their demand for fair treatment and job security.

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*Freelance journalist