After almost a month, the stand-off between Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar management and workers ended early on Saturday following an agreement brokered by the Haryana Government.

The ice was broken when the workers agreed to sign the ‘good conduct bond' and the company agreed to reinstate the 18 dismissed trainees. However, the 44 suspended employees continue to remain so, pending enquiries. It was also agreed that the “no work, no pay” rule would apply during the strike period.

“The company assured us that it would reinstate our suspended colleagues if the production goes on smoothly and we meet the targets,” a worker told Business Line.

However, there was some ambiguity about the ‘good conduct bond'. Workers said the bond had incorporated some of their demands, while the company said ‘not even a full stop has been changed'.

“Earlier, the bond stated that if workers resorted to go-slow, they would be terminated without enquiry. But, according to the current agreement, there would be an enquiry and workers would have the right to defend their case,” Mr D. L Sachdev, General Secretary, AITUC, said.

“The essential difference incorporated in the bond is that the workers who are liable to be dismissed in case they violate the clauses, will now be governed by the company's Standing Orders,” Mr J. P Mann, Deputy Labour Commissioner, said.

In the last 30 days, the auto major has incurred a loss of Rs 660 crore. The workers will resume work on Monday and work extra in lieu of October 1, later.

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