Tamil Nadu: Cracks in DMK-led ruling alliance, CPM slams police 'crack down' on protesting Samsung workers

Samsung workers at the company’s Sriperumbudur unit, near Chennai, have been protesting since September 9

The month-long protest by Samsung workers at the Korean electronics giant’s Sriperumbudur unit in Tamil Nadu has taken a political turn, with cracks emerging in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led ruling alliance.

Ahead of a visit by alliance leaders, including state Congress chief K Selvaperunthagai, CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan, VCK president Thol Thirumavalavan, CPI state secretary R Mutharasan and Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi president T Velmurugan, on October 9 to express solidarity with the protesting workers, 11 union functionaries were taken in preventive custody the night before. The police also dismantled tents at the protest site, sources said.

"DMK government appears to be supporting the Samsung administration on this issue. How can the state government ensure the protection of the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu if workers are forced to be subservient to multinational corporations?" said Balakrishnan.

The CPI(M) condemned the arrests and night-time police searches of homes of union member. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has organised the protest, which has the support of the CPI (M).

. . #Samsung #SamsungWorkers #SamsungStrike #WorkersRights #CITU @cmotamilnadu @kbcpim pic.twitter.com/YxOyuFxec1
CPIM Tamilnadu (@tncpim) October 8, 2024

Alliance partners were unhappy with government’s handling of the stir, source said. It also poses a challenge to Chief Minister MK Stalin, who needs to balance the demands of his alliance partners, workers' welfare with the state's industrial growth.

Stalin has been wooing global companies as the state faces stiff competition from neighbouring states. His efforts to position Tamil Nadu as an industry-friendly destination can take a hit if the strike continues.

Also read: Samsung workers' protest enters 10th day; Union urges Tamil Nadu government to intervene

Of the 234 seats in the Tamil Nadu assembly, DMK is the senior INDIA bloc partner with 133 seats. The Congress has 18, VCK four, CPI (M) and CPI have two members each.

On October 7, the government said Samsung India employees and management signed a memorandum of agreement but CITU said the strike would continue as the company had refused to recognise the union.

The company offered Rs 5,000 as a productivity stabilisation incentive from October 2024 to March 2025 among other offers.

Also read: Tamil Nadu government urges striking workers of Samsung India to get back to work immediately

“Samsung India today signed a memorandum of agreement with the workers’ committee of its Chennai factory. Both parties agreed on collaborative efforts to make the factory a great place to work. We will engage with workers directly to address difficulties faced by them,” a Samsung spokesperson said.

“We appreciate the Tamil Nadu government's efforts to end the illegal strike and are thankful to the authorities for their constant support. We reiterate that we comply with all laws and regulations of the country.”

Also read: Samsung defends Indian wages as strike at Tamil Nadu plant enters 3rd week

CITU dismissed the deal as a diversionary tactic, saying the strike would continue.

Workers at Samsung’s Sriperumbudur unit have been protesting since September 9, demanding better wages, reduced working hours and union recognition. Samsung’s facility, established in 2007, manufactures televisions, refrigerators and washing machines. Of its 1,800 workers, the union claims that around 1,500 are on strike.