Renault-Nissan To stop Production in South India Plant Until May 30

 

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 A note from Renault-Nissan India Chief Executive Biju Balendran, sent to employees via email by Reuters, said a plant near the state capital Chennai would be closed from May 26 to May 30 to ensure safety amid growing COVID-19 cases.

Automaker Renault-Nissan will shut down its plant in southern India in Tamil Nadu until May 30, according to an internal report and two general sources on the matter, a day after workers said they would strike over security-related coronavirus. A note from Renault-Nissan India Chief Executive Biju Balendran, sent to employees via email by Reuters, said a plant near the state capital Chennai would be closed from May 26 to May 30 to ensure safety amid growing COVID-19 cases. "We will continue to monitor the situation in Chennai and Tamil Nadu and will get back to you soon with the details of when this plant will start again," Balendran said in a letter.

The trade union at Renault-Nissan's Tamil Nadu campus, which employs more than 8,000 workers, had warned of a strike on Wednesday if its COVID-related safety requirements were not met. Four workers were killed and more than 400 workers were infected this year, according to the union. A source from the union said the decision to return to work would be taken after reviewing security measures. The trade union Renault Nissan India is looking for better social removal policies, policies and higher insurance premiums to include medical expenses for their families.

Nissan, which owns a majority stake in the plant, declined to comment. Balendran said in an email the company was in talks with union representatives to ensure security. "This will include a careful look at what other alternatives we may need to introduce, as well as a study of the current processes," he said.

Hyundai Motor Co on Monday said it would suspend operations at its Tamil Nadu factory until May 30, after a number of workers protested against growing charges. Hyundai, Nissan and Renault - all of which produce cars in Tamil Nadu, commonly called Indian Detroit - together account for more than a fifth of the Indian car market.