A group of around 100 striking workers blocked the doors at Tata Steel’s main IJmuiden plant in the Netherlands on Tuesday morning, in what labour representatives said was a spontaneous move and a prelude to major action in the coming weeks.

Workers at the Dutch subsidiary have been unhappy since the departure last week of their CEO Theo Henrar, which prompted an angry response as he was seen as a strong advocate against Tata's plans to cut around 1,000 jobs in the Netherlands.

Frits van Wieringen, the spokesman of the company's works council, said Tuesday's unplanned strike had not affected production, but that the council expected a“major action” in the short term.

“People are so angry, this situation is certain to escalate”, he said.

Tata Steel Netherlands' Central Works Council (CWC) has said it fears that Tata Steel Europe aimed to cut its Dutch operations in order to save its loss-making British business.

The company's Dutch officials could not be immediately reached for comment.

TVS paycut

TVS Motor Company has cut staff salaries by up to 20 per cent for a period of six months, beginning May, amid coronavirus pandemic.

The two-wheeler major has decided to reduce salaries at executive level, barring entry level workmen, from May till October this year.

“The company has rolled out a temporary salary reduction across different levels for a period of six months (May to Oct, 2020),” a TVS Motor Company spokesperson told PTI.