Workers continue 31-day protest; Samsung has acceded to most demands of workers, says TN govt

Tension escalated near Sunguvarchatram in Sriperumbudur, close to Chennai, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, as employees of Samsung India marked the 31st day of their ongoing protest. Police intervened, arresting workers and attempting to disperse them from the protest site.

Reports indicate that around midnight, police arrested 10 office-bearers from the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)-backed Samsung workers’ union at their homes, facing resistance from fellow workers. Additionally, the protest pandal they had set up was dismantled overnight without prior notice. Despite these challenges, the workers regrouped in an open area near their original protest site in Echoor village, just a kilometer from the Samsung India manufacturing plant.

Government Response
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu addressed the situation, stating that the government was not attempting to suppress the workers’ protest and clarified that police actions were taken only in response to unauthorized gatherings. He announced that the arrested workers had been released and reiterated that the state’s Labour department would take appropriate actions regarding the CITU-backed union’s recognition based on a forthcoming verdict from the Madras High Court.

Thennarasu emphasized the government's respect for workers' sentiments and assured that there were no hostilities between the CITU and the state government. He urged the protesting workers to return to their jobs for the welfare of their families and the future of their youth, acknowledging their demands for union recognition and wage increases.

Ongoing Strikes
Since September 9, 2024, Samsung workers have been on strike, seeking recognition for their newly formed union and higher wages. The facility employs around 1,800 workers, with approximately 1,000 actively participating in the protest.

Despite the police crackdown, hundreds of workers gathered at the protest site on Wednesday morning, leading to heated exchanges with police who sought to disperse them. Viral videos on social media showed police arresting union leaders and questioning passengers on a nearby bus about their intentions to join the protest.

Leaders from the ruling DMK alliance expressed plans to visit the protest site to show solidarity with the workers. On October 8, Tamil Nadu Minister for Industries T.R.B. Rajaa appealed to the striking employees to return to work, promising recognition of their union following the court's decision. He noted that the state government and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin were committed to supporting the workers.

Management Negotiations
Rajaa stated that the management was willing to meet some of the workers’ demands, which included improved food quality, standard locks, and air-conditioning in all 108 buses used for transport. However, many workers rejected the terms outlined in a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on October 7, 2024, by a committee they believe favored the company. E. Muthukumar, the Kancheepuram district secretary of CITU, confirmed that the majority of workers remained unsatisfied with the agreement and continued their strike.

Political Backlash
The Tamil Nadu unit of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemned the police actions against the protesting workers. Madurai MP Su. Venkatesan criticized the government for siding with corporate interests, stating, “The workers are protesting for their rights in a democratic manner. It is unacceptable that the guardians of the law have become the guardians of Samsung.”

As the protest continues, the situation remains tense, with workers determined to fight for their rights and recognition in the face of adversity.