Over 4,000 car workers in the southern town of Bangalore have been fighting their employer over wages and conditions for the last three weeks. What started as a limited strike, was followed by a company lockout, and has now become a standoff with workers refusing to sign a company’s ‘good conduct’ agreement before going back to work. Union leaders have now started a hunger strike. This dispute is indicative of the ongoing push by global companies such as Toyota, into regions that have low wages and costs, but also of workers’ growing awareness of their role in the global economy and their opposition to the ‘Race to the bottom’. To be effective in fighting global companies like Toyota, the Indian Toyota workers need to organise industrial actions with Toyota workers in other countries.
Over 4,000 car workers in the southern town of Bangalore have been fighting their employer over wages and conditions for the last three weeks. What started as a limited strike, was followed by a company lockout, and has now become a standoff with workers refusing to sign a company’s ‘good conduct’ agreement before going back to work. Union leaders have now started a hunger strike. This dispute is indicative of the ongoing push by global companies such as Toyota, into regions that have low wages and costs, but also of workers’ growing awareness of their role in the global economy and their opposition to the ‘Race to the bottom’. To be effective in fighting global companies like Toyota, the Indian Toyota workers need to organise industrial actions with Toyota workers in other countries.
