The protest at the Samsung Sriperumbudur factory near Chennai has entered its tenth day. As quoted by PTI, the Confederation of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) is now urging the state administration to resolve the issue.

Approximately 1,500 workers at the South Korean tech giant’s facility in Tamil Nadu have taken to the roads. For the past 11 days, workers have been on strike, which has also disrupted production. The workers are on an indefinite strike advocating for higher wages, union recognition, and an improved working environment.

A Soundararajan, head of CITU’s Tamil Nadu unit, stated that it is the first strike in the 16-year-history of the factory.

Why are Samsung Workers Protesting?

The workers have three major demands:

• Recognize the new union
• Permit collective bargaining
• Rejection of competing union, as about 90% of the workforce belongs to SILWU (Samsung India Labour Welfare Union), said Mr. Soundararajan

Additionally, workers who are currently getting an average monthly salary of INR 25,000 are seeking staggered raises, which would sum up 50% increase over the next three years.

“We have written to the Labor Department to recognize the Samsung India Workers Union. It has been 90 days since we have given our application but so far there has been no response. As per the Law, it should have been done within 45 days.”

The situation intensified on September 16, when police allegedly detained approximately 120 employees, including a district secretary from CITU. Soundararajan condemned the actions of police and subsequent warnings against protests in Chennai.

“Even today, police personnel said the employees should not come (near Valluvar Kottam in Chennai city), and leaders of CITU affiliated unions should not take part in the protests. This kind of attitude by the police personnel is not acceptable. The employees are only demanding their basic rights and they should not be treated like this,” as quoted by PTI.

The CITU is seeking the Tamil Nadu government’s intervention in facilitating the registration of the union and mediating a resolution. Soundararajan also added that CITU-affiliated unions may consider broadening their protests throughout the state. They have also called for support from other political parties and organizations.

How Samsung India Reacted?

Samsung is experiencing one of the largest protests in recent years. The protest is occurring at a time when PM Narendra Modi is actively seeking foreign investment by promoting India as a viable alternative to China for manufacturing activities.

In response to this, Samsung India issued a statement emphasizing worker’s welfare as their utmost priority. The company said, “We have initiated discussions with our workers at the Chennai plant to resolve all issues at the earliest.”

How the Protest is Affecting Tamil Nadu’s Progress?

Workers at Samsung Electronics in Tamil Nady, India have been protesting leading to major hindrances to production. the protest came at a time when the state is actively pushing foreign investment. Recently, during Chief Minister M K Stalin’s visit to the United States, the state secured investment commitments of over INR 7,000 crore from US companies.

This Chennai plant is Samsung’s one of the two factories in India. The factory employs nearly 2,000 workers and produces a range of home appliances. These include refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions. The plant accounts for about one-third of Samsung’s annual revenue of $12 billion in India.