"We re-opened the unit early this month after a negotiated settlement with the workers on outstanding issues," MJZ Mowla, senior vice president of Bata India said. The faridabad plant, which is the largest unit of Bata India, has been under lockout since February this year.

The lockout, which was declared following an industrial go slow by unions, was lifted following a tripartite agreement between the management, workers and the Haryana government. Mowla said the eight-month lockout would not affect the company's revenue in the current year as Faridabad unit was catering to lower-end products like canvas shoes and hawai chappals.

He said Bata India was likely to report higher turnover in 1999 ending December compared with last year's Rs 743.17 crore. Sources said the settlement was reached after Punjab and Haryana high court stayed Haryana government's order prohibiting the lockout. Haryana labour commissioner had asked the company not to continue with the lockout at the Faridabad plant by an order on August 19.

Mowla said Faridabad unit, which has a capacity of 4.25 crore pairs per annum, was likely to take some time before going full steam. Last year, the company had sold a total of 6.1 crore pairs of foot-wear.