Madras High Court Orders Covid-Linked Audit Of Renault-Nissan Plant

Work had stopped at the plants of auto majors Renault-Nissan, Ford and Hyundai last week after protests by workers, who bore the brunt of the disease in the auto manufacturing hub near Chennai

Auto major Renault-Nissan will undergo inspection by government officials tomorrow over its compliance with COVID-19 safety precautions, the Madras High Court said as the workers went on strike today, alleging that protocols were not maintained at the Sriperumbudur plant. A few workers have died of Covid and the employees have been demanding that the company maintain strict safety norms. The workers, who went to court earlier, say social distancing in the plant will be possible only if a gap is maintained between two vehicles in the assembly line and only three to four men work on each. Instead, six to eight men are working on each car in the current set-up. The workers have demanded that corrective measures be taken immediately and social distancing norms be maintained. Their other demands include rehabilitation of families of the workers who died and medical treatment of those who are ailing. Renault-Nissan has said it suspended operations on May 26 after a few workers died of Covid. "We are currently reviewing our current safety protocols, and future safety measures, and continue to close and constructive dialogue with the union representatives so that, together, we can ensure the highest standards of safety are in place for when the plant resumes operations," Renault-Nissan said in a statement.