Samsung workers protest in Tamil Nadu over suspensions; no production impact yet: Report

While the company did not specify the reason for the suspensions, it emphasized ongoing efforts toward a collective agreement.

Around 500 workers at Samsung’s manufacturing plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, are staging a sit-in protest following the suspension of three employees, Reuters reported, citing sources. To mitigate disruptions, the company has deployed contract workers to maintain production.

This marks the second major labor dispute at the plant in less than six months. The facility, which manufactures refrigerators, televisions, and washing machines, contributed to a fifth of Samsung’s $12 billion sales in India for 2022-23 and employs approximately 1,800 workers.

In a statement, Samsung asserted that “most of our workers remain dedicated to ensuring that normal business operations continue.” Sources told Reuters that production remains unaffected for now, with contract workers stepping in to handle operations. However, the Samsung India Workers’ Union refuted this claim, stating that the refrigerator manufacturing unit had seen some disruption.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.

The protest follows a similar labor action last year when workers at the plant went on a five-week strike demanding higher wages and union recognition. That strike ended in October after Samsung agreed to address their concerns.

Union leader A. Soundararajan told Reuters that the current protest would continue, alleging that the suspended workers were penalized without being given a chance to explain their actions. “Discussions with the government are already underway,” he added. The Tamil Nadu government has not yet commented on the issue.

Samsung, in its response, maintained that the suspended workers “will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action following a formal enquiry and have been suspended to protect the work environment and other workers.” While the company did not specify the reason for the suspensions, it emphasized ongoing efforts toward a collective agreement, Reuters added. “We remain open to a dialogue facilitated by the government,” Samsung’s statement said.