The dispute between a group of workers and the management at Samsung’s Chennai factory continues. CITU, leading the strike, said it plans to intensify the protest. Workers of the Samsung India Workers’ Union have been on strike since February 5, demanding the reinstatement of three suspended colleagues. A Samsung India spokesperson stated that the company does not support any unlawful actions that disturb industrial peace at the workplace.
Samsung Workers Continue Protest Inside Factory Since February 5
On Saturday evening, CITU officials, led by secretary E. Muthu Kumar and supporters, staged a protest in Sunguvarchatram, Tamil Nadu, about two kilometers from the Samsung factory in Sriperumbudur district. The union demanded the reinstatement of suspended employees, who are also the part of CITU officials. They warned that if their suspension is not revoked immediately, the protest will be intensified and the worker’s won’t be stopping the protest.
One of the worker stated that Samsung India employees have been sitting inside the factory in protest since February 5, while CITU and its supporters are demonstrating outside to show solidarity with the striking workers. Here all the workers and employees are protesting for the suspended employees.
Warning to Intensify Protest
Around 50 CITU supporters, carrying party flags, protested in the presence of police, accusing Samsung India and the district administration of not taking steps to resolve the issue. Employee emphasized that the strike would continue and called on other labor unions in Tamil Nadu for support, warning of a larger agitation. Workers inside and employees outside are protesting against Samsung intensely.
Earlier in 2024, Samsung India employees went on strike for over 30 days demanding a wage revision and other benefits. The strike was called off after the Tamil Nadu government intervened. As of now, the employees and the workers are protesting for the employees who were suspended, also the workers mentioned that they won’t stop this protest until the suspension is not revoked.
Workers’ Protest Continues for Five Days Over Suspension Issue
Before this protest, Samsung workers had staged a nearly 30-day strike demanding a salary hike. This time, the protest is over the suspension of some employees. The workers are demanding an immediate revocation of the suspension orders. As of February 10, the protest has entered its fifth day.
A Samsung spokesperson has issued a statement, saying that the company does not support the ongoing strike as it disrupts industrial peace. However, the workers have refused to back down and have warned that if the suspension orders are not canceled, the protest will continue to escalate.
