The Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU), backed by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), continued its protest for the 17th day on Friday (February 21, 2025) in Kancheepuram over the suspension of its members by Samsung India management.
The CITU is also planning a massive strike across industrial units in Kancheepuram on March 8. “The management suspended 14 more members on Thursday. We will intensify our protest further. The day after tomorrow, we are going to give a notice for holding a strike in all 58 industrial units in the Kancheepuram belt on March 8. We will seek support from other unions as well,” E. Muthukumar, district secretary, CITU Kancheepuram, said at the protest site on Friday.
A section of Samsung India workers has been on strike since February 5 over the suspension of three union members. Several rounds of talks between the Samsung management and the SIWU, conducted by the Tamil Nadu Labour Department, had failed to bring about a resolution.
On Thursday morning, tension prevailed at Samsung India’s factory in Sriperumbudur, as workers protested at the factory’s production section after forcing out the contract workers.
On Friday, Mr. Muthukumar urged the management to resolve the issues faced by the workers, and sought government intervention. “We will also seek support from political parties and step up our protests,” he said.
In the evening, workers across industries held protest in Oragadam in support of Samsung workers.
CITU State president Soundararajan alleged that the company had suspended the workers without issuing a notice and conducting an enquiry. The management, in the name of disciplinary action, is suppressing the Union, he said. Mr. Soundararajan said a strike notice would be issued and that it would be held any time after March 7.
“At Samsung, our priority is to maintain a safe and stable workplace for all workers. A certain section of workers once again illegally tried to disrupt operations and industrial peace today [Thursday]. We have a zero-tolerance policy for any illegal activities by workers that disrupt industrial stability and peace at the workplace,” a Samsung India spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday.
It is important for all employees to adhere to company policies, and those who violate these policies will face disciplinary action after due process, the spokesperson said.
“While our production remains uninterrupted, we urge the State authorities to secure the safety of our workers, maintain discipline, and provide ease of doing business,” the statement added.
