More than a thousand Samsung India workers have been protesting since September 9 for better pay and the official recognition of the company’s new union, Samsung India Labour Welfare Union (SILWU)
The confederation of Indian trade unions (CITU) has demanded the Tamil Nadu government to intervene in the ongoing electronics giant Samsung workers’ protest. Samsung workers protest at Sriperumbudur plant in Chennai has hit its 11th day on September 19. For nearly ten days, the workers' strike led by CITU has been demanding better pay, recognition of their union, and better work amenities, among others.
“We have written to the labour department to recognise the Samsung India workers union. It has been 90 days since we gave our application, but so far there has been no response. As per the law, it should have been done within 45 days,” CITU State President A Soundararajan told PTI. The government should register the union and make efforts to resolve the workers issue amicably, he added.
In the meantime, Tamil Nadu’s labour welfare minister CV Ganesan said, “We will fulfill the demands of the workers.”
While the Korean electronics giant addressing the ongoing protest said that the welfare of its employees is a ‘top priority’ and that it is actively engaging with the workers to address their concerns.
“At Samsung India, the welfare of our employees is our top priority. We actively engage with our workers to address any grievances they may have and comply with all laws and regulations,” said a Samsung India spokesperson.
The Samsung workers have three key demands, including recognition of their newly formed labour union-the Samsung India Labour Welfare Union (SILWU) and a 50 per cent wage hike over the next three years, according to the BBC.
Moreover, commenting on the work culture, CITU said that workers at the plant have been working under great pressure. “Pressurised to finish each product-like a refrigerator, washing machine, or TV- within 10-15 seconds and are asked to continuously work for four-to-five hours,” said CITU.