Samsung workers in Tamil Nadu have been on strike for over four weeks, demanding higher wages and improved working conditions.
Published Oct 06, 2024 | 11:57 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 06, 2024 | 11:57 PM
Samsung workers protest in Tamil Nadu
Over 1,500 workers at Samsung India’s manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu have been on strike for over four weeks, demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. Despite multiple rounds of negotiations between labour unions, Samsung management, and Tamil Nadu government officials, no resolution has been reached, which has prolonged the strike, according to the CPI(M)’s media spokesperson.
Muthukumar, President of the Samsung India Employees Union and a member of CITU in Kanchipuram told South First, “The demands of the workers on strike have not been met by either the government or Samsung. This has been an ongoing issue for some time, yet the question remains—why is the government not taking any action?”
The strike, which began in early September, escalated after the workers’ union—the Samsung India Employees Union—voiced concerns over wage disparities, excessive working hours, and poor benefits. Many employees, some with more than a decade of service, earn less than ₹30,000 a month.
Additionally, the workers are calling for a reduction in their current nine-hour shifts to eight hours, alongside a proper utilisation of their sanctioned leaves.
Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous arrests and releases related to the Samsung workers’ strike in Tamil Nadu. For instance, the police in the Kanchipuram district apprehended nearly 900 striking workers on 30 September. Along with the other workers that were arrested, A Soundararajan, the state president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), was also detained during the protest but was freed the same day.
According to Kannan, a CPI(M) spokesperson, the authorities have been using this pattern of arrests followed by same-day releases as a recurring tactic to disrupt the ongoing strike without raising tensions over the past few weeks.
The CPI(M) Tamil Nadu posted on X that during a protest in Chennai on 5 October, in support of striking Samsung workers, several Left party leaders were arrested. In response to these arrests, demonstrations were held in Erode and Surampatti, organised by CPI(M), CPI, and CPI(ML), condemning the police action and expressing solidarity with the workers.
சாம்சங் தொழிலாளர்களுக்கு ஆதரவாக சென்னையில் நேற்று 5-10-24 போராட்டம் நடத்திய போது இடதுசாரி கட்சித் தலைவர்களை கைது செய்ததை கண்டித்து ஈரோடு, சூரம்பட்டியில் #CPIM #CPI #CPIML சார்பில் கண்டன ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நேற்று நடைபெற்றது. #SamsungWorkers #WorkersStrike #FightForRights #WorkersRights pic.twitter.com/wupJLJiONq
— CPIM Tamilnadu (@tncpim) October 6, 2024
The CPI(M) spokesperson told South First that despite five rounds of negotiations with Samsung management, no significant progress has been made.
“Samsung is aware that their actions fall under unfair labor practices, yet they have continued efforts to contact individual employees in an attempt to break the strike,” he said. Kannan also highlighted that the workers were prohibited from holding protests in public spaces, restricting their ability to exercise their right to protest.
Muthukumar, President of the Samsung India Employees Union, emphasised the frustration felt by the workers, noting that their demands have been ignored for a long time. “We have been pushing for fair treatment and better pay for months. The government’s inaction is disappointing,” he said, reaffirming that the Communist Party of India (CITU) would continue to back the workers until their concerns are addressed.
The Tamil Nadu government stepped in to mediate the dispute with CM MK Stalin tasking three senior ministers—T.R.B. Rajaa (Industries), T.M. Anbarasan (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), and C.V. Ganesan (Labour Welfare and Skill Development)—to oversee negotiations. The ministers have held five rounds of discussions with union representatives and the company, but no breakthrough has been achieved. According to a government source, these talks are expected to continue in the coming days.
மாண்புமிகு #தமிழ்நாடு #முதலமைச்சர் திரு. மு.க.ஸ்டாலின் அவர்களின் ஆலோசனைப்படி, இன்று காலை #சாம்சங் நிறுவன மேலாளர்களுடனான சந்திப்பின் போது, நிலுவையில் உள்ள பிரச்சனைகளை தீர்க்கப் பயனுள்ள உரையாடலை நடத்தினோம்.
மேலும், மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் அவர்கள் இப்பிரச்சினையில், மாண்புமிகு சிறு,… pic.twitter.com/gbKzsjf6Sq
— Dr. T R B Rajaa (@TRBRajaa) October 6, 2024
According to a report, a state official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that 1,100 out of 1,750 employees are participating in the strike, making this one of the largest labour disputes in Tamil Nadu’s electronics manufacturing sector in recent years. Despite the ongoing strike, Samsung has maintained that production remains unaffected, and it has adhered to a ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy during the strike.
While Samsung management has expressed a willingness to discuss wages and benefits, the union is pushing for a stronger commitment to improving working conditions and fair wages. The labor strike has drawn attention from various political and labor groups across Tamil Nadu, putting further pressure on both the government and the company to reach a swift resolution as stated in a report.
Finally, the ministers involved in the negotiations have urged both Samsung management and the workers to find a solution that benefits both sides.
T.R.B. Rajaa recently told the media that they are working toward resolving the issues and ensuring that the workers’ demands are fairly addressed. However, as the strike continues into its fourth week, tensions remain high, with the workers determined to hold out until their demands are met.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
