The German firm announced the industrial action in a filing on the Bombay Stock Exchange filing (BSE) on Tuesday, explaining that employees at the Ponda site downed tools after talks with Union representative broke down.
Merck said: “Management is striving to convince the union to resume work and resume negotiations.”
The firm also said it has implemented “continuity plans to maintain stable supply to the market” and predicted the strike will not impact the availability of products.
Drugs and chemicals
The Ponda plant makes pharmaceuticals in a variety of dosage forms, primarily soft gel capsules and injectables.
It also produces chemicals used by the drug industry, including dehydrated culture media used in quality control operations.
According to Merck, the facility also produces the essential oil ingredient guaiazulene, the vitamin B deficiency treatment Thiamine Disulphide, the supplement vitamin E and the chemical stabilizer Oxynex ST, which is used in the cosmetics sector.
Around 300 people are employed at the facility.
Merck declined to comment further when contacted by in-Pharmatechnologist.com.