Rush to judgment

We move to Indian automotive issues today. Nothing terribly exciting but a far cry from the political drama in East Asia.

スズキのインド工場、厳戒 下で２１日再開 暴動から 約１カ月、生産回復にはな お時間も

スズキのインド子会社であるマルチ・ス ズキのバルガバ会長は１６日、暴動事件で 閉鎖中のマネサール工場（ハリヤナ州）を 今月２１日に再開すると発表した。州警 察が５００人規模で警備にあたる厳戒下で の操業となる見込み。１８日で暴動から１ カ月になるが、従業員確保などでも問題が 残り、生産を回復させるには、まだ時間 がかかりそうだ。

「本音では、時間をかけてもいいから、 問題の完全解消を優先させたい。再開させ たはいいが、また、問題で稼働停止するこ とが、最悪のシナリオだ」

スズキの首脳は、マルチ・スズキ社の早 期の生産再開に懸念を示した。

マネサール工場では昨年６月から９月 まで大規模なストライキが断続的に起き、 やっと生産が正常化した直後に発生したの が今回の暴動だった。現地の発表などに よると、インド人人事担当者が足を折られ たうえ、放火されて死亡するという残虐な 事態が発生。「従業員のショックは大き く、安心を確保すると同時に、十分なメ ンタルヘルスが重要だ」（スズキの鈴木俊 宏副社長）と、再開を急がない考えだっ た。

急（きゅう）遽（きょ）、２１日再稼働 が決まった背景には、州政府からの強い要 請がある。海外からの投資を呼び込んでい るインドだが、州政府の力が強く、州政府 ごとで「（ビジネス）案件の取り合いを演 じている」（自動車部品首脳）のが実態 だ。

ハリヤナ州政府としても、「暴動の解 決が長引くことで、今後の投資に悪影響が 出ることを懸念」（スズキ首脳）してい る。そこで、スズキの鈴木修会長兼社長 が来週のインド入りまでに再開するよう強 い働きかけがあり、安全の担保として５０ ０人の警察官派遣に至ったもようだ。ただ 安定した操業が持続できるかは疑問で 「見切り発車になる可能性も高い」（スズ キ幹部）との声がある。

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/economy/news/120816/biz12081620530016-n1.htm

Suzuki’s Indian plant to re-open under heavy guard on 21 st . One month since the riot, it will take more time to restore production

Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary, Maruti-Suzuki’s chairman Bhargava announced on the 16 th that the Manesar plan, (Haryana state) which was shuttered due to a riot, will re-open on the 21 st of this month. It is planned to begin operations under heavy guard, with the state police deploying approximately 500 guards as security. The 18 th will mark one month since the riot, but concerns about worker safety remain and it appears that it will take more time to fully restore production.

“Truthfully, it’s fine if it takes time because completely resolving the problem is our highest priority. Re-opening is fine but we may not operate due to the issue in the worst-case scenario.” Suzuki’s leader also expressed doubts about the early restoration of Maruti-Suzuki’s production.

Last year, large strikes occurred at the Manesar plant from June through September and this most recent riot occurred just after production had normalized. According to local reports, the Indian head of HR had his legs broken and then it is said that he was burned to death. Suzuki’s vice president Toshihiro Suzuki explained that “the workers were greatly disturbed and along with preserving their peace of mind and mental health is important” so there is no hurry to reopen.

The rushed decision to restart on the 21 st comes with the backdrop of the state government’s strong request. India is calling for foreign investments but state governments have a lot of power and automotive parts leaders have to compete on a state by state basis for projects.

According to Suzuki’s leaders, even the Haryana state government is concerned that delaying resolution of the instability may have a negative impact on future investments. Because of that, there is a strong impetus to reopen by the time Suzuki’s president and chairman Osamu Suzuki visits India next week and so the state is dispatching 500 policemen to insure safety. Still, there are doubts stable operations can be maintained. Suzuki managers have voiced fears of this being a hasty decision.