Monday, August 1 2005 19:00 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gurgaon: Normalcy returned to the Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Limited factory in Gurgaon, as workers joined duty, bringing to an end a month-long labour problem, which had climaxed in violence last week.

The first batch of workers resumed work today (August 1, 2005) morning at 6:00 am after signing an undertaking which said they "shall abide by good conduct, discipline, devotion to duty, meet company targets, completely observe the certified standing orders applicable to the establishment and refrain from sabotage activities etc."

It was not immediately known how many workers rejoined duty. A notice pasted at the factory gates read that all workers who were to report for duty on their particular shifts on June 27 were to come for the same shifts on August one, which is today.

The second shift at the Honda factory starts at 2:00 pm, while the third starts at 11:00 pm. Some injured workers have also reached the Honda factory to carry out certain formalities for payment for their treatment.

The company, as per the agreement reached between them, has promised the injured workers paid leave. They signed an undertaking and went to hospital after taking a half-day leave. Security arrangements were in place to prevent any untoward incident and around 30-40 policemen were posted outside the factory.

Around 45 personnel from a private security agency were in charge of security inside the factory. "This is the normal security drill at the factory. We are not expecting any untoward incident. It is business as usual because we have reached an amicable agreement," a Honda official said.

Meanwhile, a bandh called by trade unions evoked little response in Gurgaon and Manesar. Shops were open and traffic was as usual on the roads. Police were deployed in large numbers in the satellite township in view of the bandh.

Meanwhile, Gurgaon MLA, Dharambir Gauba visited the factory this morning. The unrest has seen the company suffer losses, with production levels severely going down from the peak output of 2000 units daily. The agitating workers of the Gurgaon based, Indo-Japanese Joint Venture company had taken out a protest march last week, which resulted in widespread violence and police action. The issue snowballed into a major political controversy finding an echo even in Parliament.

The stalemate ended with the management and agitating workers reaching an agreement on late Friday (July 29, 2005) night, under which all employees, including the four dismissed and 50 suspended, will be taken back.

By noon, security around the HMSI factory in Manesar was increased and Additional Director General of Police John V George visited it to review the situation.

In Gurgaon, schools, shopping malls and MNCs functioned normally. There were no security arrangements outside Honda showrooms in the satellite township.