Automotive units suspend work in Gurugram, but hopes afloat

Despite temporary shutdown, most labourers are living on a prayer that the lockdown would not be extended

The large migrant workforce employed in hundreds of automotive units across Gurugram-Dharuhera-Bhiwadi industrial belt is in a dilemma, whether to return home or stay back after the three Original Equipment Manufacturers – Maruti Suzuki, Hero Motocorp, and Honda Motorcycles & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd (HMSI) – announced a temporary halt of 10-15 days amid a surge in COVID-19 cases and multiple lockdowns across the cities. However, the overwhelming sentiment seems to be to “wait and watch”. “Lots of my friends working in automotive units and staying within a radius of around 200-250 km have decided to go to their homes during the shutdown. But those from far-off areas such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, said they would continue to stay in Gurugram during the shutdown. It is not viable to go back and then return in a week’s time. Also, they are hopeful that the shutdown will not prolong and production will resume,” said Sompal Vats, working at Sunbeam Lightweighting Solutions Pvt Ltd in Gurugram’s Narsingpur. From Haryana’s Panipat, Vats has been working at the automotive company for more than 15 years and is now settled in Gurugram. The company, a vendor of Maruti Suzuki and Hero Motocorp, might run during the shutdown as well. “The company also exports auto parts. So it may continue to run despite both OEMs being shut,” said Mr. Vats.