Samsung urges TN govt for ease of business and worker safety amid intensifying Sriperumbudur factory strike

Samsung urges TN govt for ease of business and worker safety amid intensifying Sriperumbudur factory strike

Samsung has called on the Tamil Nadu government to ensure 'ease of doing business' while prioritising worker safety as the ongoing labor strike continues at its Sriperumbudur plant near Chennai.

The company’s statement follows an incident on February 20, when a section of workers allegedly attempted to disrupt operations and industrial peace. Local police took action against striking employees at Vella Gate (White Gate) in Kanchipuram on the morning of February 20, asking them to vacate the protest site.

“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. 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 told Moneycontrol.

The company emphasised that while production remains unaffected, it urged state authorities to ensure worker safety, uphold discipline, and facilitate business operations. Samsung also reiterated the importance of employees adhering to company policies, warning that violations would result in disciplinary action following due process.

The Sriperumbudur facility employs around 1,800 workers and manufactures televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, and compressors. In the 2022-23 fiscal year, it accounted for one-fifth of Samsung’s $12 billion sales in India.

The labour strike began on February 5, with over 500 workers staging a sit-in protest against suspending three Samsung India Workers’ Union office bearers (SIWU) affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU). Mediation efforts by Tamil Nadu labour officials have so far failed to resolve the standoff.

A conciliation meeting was held between Samsung’s management and CITU leaders on February 19, but tensions escalated as the company refused to revoke the suspension orders. Samsung also indicated plans to take action against 18 more workers, which the protesting employees deemed unacceptable.

Local police took action against striking employees at Vella Gate (White Gate) in Kanchipuram on the morning of February 20, asking them to vacate the protest site.

With their protest site cleared, the workers moved back to the Sriperumbudur plant to continue demonstrations inside the factory, media reports said, citing E. Muthukumar of CITU.

The CITU now plans to intensify the protests over the weekend, further escalating tensions between the workers and Samsung.