Centre Urges Tamil Nadu CM To Resolve Samsung Workers' Strike

Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, urging prompt intervention to resolve the ongoing workers' strike at Samsung Electronics' Sriperumbudur plant.

Mandaviya emphasised the need for swift and amicable resolution to maintain a positive manufacturing ecosystem in the state, assuring the state government of full support from the Centre to efficiently address the issue.

The strike, which began on 9 September, involves around 1,500 workers at the South Korean giant’s Chennai plant. Workers are demanding higher wages, union recognition and better amenities.

As the strike enters its 17th day, Samsung has urged employees to return to work, offering to engage in dialogue directly with the workforce rather than the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu), which has been leading the protest. Sources indicate one key challenge is that the president of the Samsung India Workers' Union (SIWU), E. Muthukumar, is a prominent Citu leader but not an employee of Samsung.

In a statement, Samsung reiterated its commitment to resolving wage, benefit, and working condition concerns through direct negotiation with its employees. The company also highlighted the welfare of its workers as a priority, noting that the average monthly salary of full-time manufacturing employees at the Chennai plant is 1.8 times higher than the regional average. Employees are also eligible for overtime pay and other allowances, while enjoying amenities such as free shuttle services and meals.

Samsung emphasised that most of the workers at its Chennai plant are full-time employees, a higher proportion compared to other manufacturers in the region.