" Why Samsung workers’ labour strike near Chennai has entered its second month", 11 October 2024

The labour strike at Samsung’s plant in Sriperumbudur, just outside Chennai, has stretched into its second month, with over a thousand workers demanding the recognition of their union and improvements in working conditions.

Though protests began in early September, the Tamil Nadu government took its first proactive steps to hold talks with Samsung only on Monday (October 7), with three senior ministers representing the ministries of Labour, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and Industries. Samsung agreed to some concessions — wage increases and additional benefits — but the core issue of union recognition remained.

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Early on Wednesday morning, 11 key union leaders were taken into preventive custody. There are now concerns that the strike could have ripple effects across other sectors.

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The core issue is the workers’ demand for the recognition of their newly formed Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU), under the banner of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which is a left-leaning labour organisation affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

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However, the South Korean electronics company resisted this demand. While Samsung said it is against the idea of a union engaging in collective bargaining along with leaders from outside, the state labour department also did not process a request by the labourers to register their union. As per the law, the government should have processed the request within 45 days.

The workers then moved the Madras High Court over the delay and the government has said it will wait for the court’s decision.