Birla wage agreement reached

An agreement on contract labourers’ wages at Birla Tyres’ Balasore plant has been reached after prolonged negotiations. The Indian tyre maker and the union representing plant workers have decided upon a daily wage increase from Rs 92 to Rs 160 (£1.80) with the daily rate increasing to Rs 180 next January and Rs 200 from May 2014. The contract settled on 6 September will be valid until the end of July 2015.