Samsung India Thozhilalar Sangam (SITS), affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), has issued a 14-day strike notice to the management of Samsung’s Sriperumbudur factory in Tamil Nadu.
This move comes less than a month after the union withdrew a month-long protest on March 7, 2025.
The strike notice highlights key demands, including the reinstatement of suspended workers, recognition of the union, and a formal wage agreement.
The situation has drawn attention to labor rights and workplace conditions in India’s manufacturing sector.
Samsung Sriperumbudur Plant: Background of the Protest
The Sriperumbudur plant employs approximately 1,800 workers, of whom around 1,000 participated in the earlier protest.
The union claims that Samsung management suspended 23 workers and initiated disciplinary actions against them during the protest.
The workers were demanding better wages, improved working conditions, and recognition of their union, SITS.
The protest ended after assurances from government officials and company representatives, but the union alleges that the promises remain unfulfilled.
Key Demands in the Strike Notice
The strike notice, jointly signed by SITS President E. Muthukumar and Secretary P. Ellan, outlines several demands:
- Reinstatement of Suspended Workers: The union insists on the immediate reinstatement of the 23 suspended workers and the withdrawal of complaints against them.
- Union Recognition: SITS claims to represent the majority of the workforce and demands formal recognition from Samsung management.
- Wage Agreement: The union seeks a fair and transparent wage agreement, rejecting the one signed with the Samsung India Welfare Federation, a newly formed group that the union contests.
- Ex-Gratia Payments: Immediate disbursement of ex-gratia payments to workers is another critical demand.
- Secret Ballot: The union has called for a secret ballot to determine which workers’ body—SITS or the Welfare Federation—has majority support among employees.
Management’s Response and Political, Social Implications
Samsung management has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the strike notice.
However, during the earlier protest, the company agreed to improve facilities, including better food, air-conditioning, and secure locks in buses used to transport workers.
Despite these measures, the union rejected a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed by a workers’ committee, claiming it favored the company.
The strike notice has garnered support from political entities, including the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), an ally of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
CPI-M leaders have condemned the police crackdown on striking workers during the earlier protest and urged the state government to intervene.
Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa assured workers that their concerns would be addressed and promised recognition of the union once the court ruled on the matter.
The incident has sparked debates on labor rights, union recognition, and corporate accountability.
It underscores the challenges faced by workers in India’s manufacturing sector, where unionization efforts often encounter resistance from management.
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