Karnataka pledges to help iPhone supplier

The Karnataka government, whose investment-friendly image has been left bruised by workers who rioted at an Apple Inc. supplier factory over alleged non-payment of wages, on Tuesday assured investors of its support while talking up the need to protect labour rights.

“Wistron is a very important project and a flag bearer of India’s ambitions to become a global hub for electronics manufacturing. The state government is committed to its success and business continuity,” the Karnataka government said in a statement. Around 156 people have been arrested after more than 7,000 workers ransacked and looted Taiwanese manufacturer Wistron’s facility in Kolar district on Saturday.

“Assuaging investor sentiment is (done) by talking to them and telling the industry that we are behind you. We first want to investigate and punish the guilty, assess and restore what is damaged and make sure labour, industrial and worker relations are put on the same level,” Gaurav Gupta, principal secretary of Karnataka’s industries department said in an interview.