It has also assured that full payment will be done subsequently for the period of the lockdown. The tractor manufacturing company has completely halted its production till 31st March 2020 and also advised employees to work from home those who have office-based roles.
Raman Mittal, Executive Director, Sonalika Group told ETAuto, “We are in the midst of a global pandemic. At this time, we will go the extra mile to support our employees and their families. We have decided to ensure full wages to all our contractual workmen, adhoc staff, apprentice and trainees across our plants, businesses, and offices during the lockdown tenure.”
He said, “We have released an advance salary of 20 days for the month of March ’To all Sonalika employees for them to manage possible exigencies.”
The third-largest tractor manufacturer of the country employs around 10,000 employees including permanent and contract workers. The company has the capacity to produce three-lakh tractors annually.Looking at the lockdown period till March 31st, the company expects monthly production to go down in the range of 20-25 percent.
“The biggest concern is our export markets, as everything is affecting the shipping lines that is affecting bigger shipments more. Also, next month production will be affected as there will be supply chain disruptions and other issues” said Mittal
As part of various measures taken to society and community support, the company is also in touch with local medical facilities and hospitals in New Delhi region and home state of Punjab about how the company can help them to prepare better in the light of spreading pandemic of coronavirus.
“I think these are the first response centers for anybody and they definitely need everybody to pitch in right now at the time of crisis,” Mittal added.
