Samsung India Plant Strike Enters 2nd Day, Production Disrupted; Details Here

The protest continues as employees demand higher wages, improved working conditions, and official recognition of their union by the company

Hundreds of Samsung Electronics employees at the plant in Sriperumbudur near Chennai continued their strike for a second day on Tuesday, demanding higher wages and causing significant disruption to the company's operations. The workers have set up tents outside the factory as a part of their work boycott protest.

This plant is one of Samsung's two critical facilities in India, a crucial growth market for the company. According to sources familiar with the situation, this factory contributes between 20 to 30 per cent of Samsung's annual revenue of $12 billion in India.

Samsung employs approximately 1,800 workers at its plant, which produces consumer electronics, including refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions. The strike has significantly impacted operations, with about half of the daily production disrupted on Monday due to a large number of workers not being present at work. The protest continues as employees demand higher wages, improved working conditions, and official recognition of their union by the company.

"We are striking for the second day," stated union leader E. Muthukumar.

Samsung India did not reply to Reuters' request for comment. However, a spokesperson stated on Monday that the company is committed to actively engaging with workers to address any grievances and adhering to all relevant laws and regulations.

The ongoing protests in India follow a series of strikes by the Samsung Electronics union in South Korea, which took place over several days in July and August. The South Korean union has been formulating a long-term strategy as negotiations with management remain unresolved.

In Sriperumbudur, workers have displayed posters outside the factory declaring, "Indefinite strike from 09.09.2024 ... Discuss and solve demands from the labour union with union officials." This message underscores their commitment to continuing the strike until their concerns are addressed.

In addition to the Sriperumbudur plant, Samsung operates a larger facility in Noida that manufactures smartphones.