Bangalore: Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd. (TKM) has decided to lift the lockout and commence production of cars at its plant in Bidadi, near Bangalore, from Saturday. The management said it had made adequate security arrangements with the help of the police at the plant and requested workers to enter the factory after signing a "good conduct undertaking."

However, the Toyota Kirloskar Motor Employees' Union, which met here on Friday, said it would continue its strike till such time its demands were met.

Union General Secretary S.R. Deepak said the employees owing allegiance to the union would go in buses from Banappa Park in the morning to the Bidadi plant and seek entry into the plant without signing any undertaking. Prior to that, the union office-bearers would approach the management seeking reinstatement of the three dismissed employees and suspension of disciplinary proceedings against other employees whom the management was naming for inciting violence on the factory premises. It may be recalled that some employees of TKM had gone on strike from January 6 seeking reinstatement of three dismissed employees and the company had declared lockout on January 8. The management has categorically stated that the dismissed employees will not be reinstated.

According to a TKM press release, during the strike, the management received requests from employees and their families, who wanted to return to the plant and did not want to be a part of the "illegal and unjustified strike." Considering their interests and its business, TKM decided to lift the lockout .

Toyota has 89 per cent stake and the rest is owned by the Kirloskar Group.

The plant has a capacity to make 60,000 cars per year.

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