Workers Are About to Strike Once More against Samsung India

Just a few weeks after a strike took place, workers at the Chennai plant of Samsung India are gearing up once again for a fresh protest. An open notice is likely to be filed by the Samsung India Workers‘ Union (SIWU) against the company, alleging unfair labor practices and retaliation against employees.

The decision was taken in a general-body meeting held in Kancheepuram on Sunday, where over 1,000 workers participated. Confirming the development, SIWU President and CITU district secretary E. Muthukumar, told the press, “We will come up with a fresh strike notice on Wednesday.
The central issue is the case of 23 suspended workers from the past strike which lasted from February 5 to March 7. According to Muthukumar, the workers, many of whom are office-bearers in the union, were suspended on fabricated charges and must be reinstated.

However, Samsung India has denied the allegations. “At Samsung, employee well-being is our top priority; we treat all workers at our Chennai factory with fairness and respect, and we categorically deny any misleading claims to the contrary; our commitment to creating a supportive workplace and industrial peace remains unflagging,” added the company in a statement.

The previous strike culminated after long rounds of negotiations between the union with Samsung management and Tamil Nadu labor department officials. Still, it now claims that the workers participating in those strikes are being punished with forced transfers and heavier workloads.

In the background of rising tensions, only time will tell how disputes between the company and the workers will be settled.