Workers at Samsung India’s Chennai manufacturing plant may explore legal options while intensifying protests to secure union recognition and better working conditions as the strike enters its ninth day.
“The Samsung management and workers have independently held five rounds of discussions with the government, but there has been no breakthrough. We have another round of talks scheduled, and if those fail, we are prepared to explore other options, including taking the matter to court,” said E Muthukumar, president of the unrecognised Samsung India Workers Union (SIWU).
Muthukumar is also the state secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Tamil Nadu, which is backing the ongoing protest, which began on September 9. The workers are demanding union recognition, higher wages and improved working conditions.
On Monday, the Tamil Nadu police detained over hundred workers from various parts of Sriperumbudur and Kancheepuram, including Muthukumar, who were planning for an unauthorised march to the Kanchipuram collectorate.
“Starting today, women workers have joined the protest after witnessing police high-handedness and the management’s indifference to the ongoing strikes,” Muthukumar said.
Established in 2007, the manufacturing facility in Sriperumbudur, on the outskirts of Chennai, is one of Samsung’s two factories in India. The Chennai plant, which employs over 1,800 workers, produces consumer products like televisions, washing machines and air conditioners. Nearly 90% of the workforce has joined the protest.
“With production halted, Samsung has brought in approximately 370 workers, including loading and unloading staff, trainees and workers from vendor companies, to maintain operations,” he alleged.
Muthukumar said the Trade Union Act, 1926, Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, ILO Conventions No. 87 and 98, and International Labour Standards (ILS) guarantee workers’ rights to association, collective bargaining, and the formation of a legal union. He added that under the Trade Union Act, a union must be registered by the relevant authorities within 45 days of submission if there are no objections. It has now been 80 days since the union was formed. If the authorities do not act soon, we will take the matter to court. He also claimed that the management is forming an employee committee to preempt the formation of a union, which he argues is illegal under the Industrial Disputes Act.
KC Gopikumar, secretary of CITU, Tamil Nadu, alleged that workers are put under harsh working conditions by the management. He added that they are expected to assemble home appliances such as televisions, washing machines, and air conditioners within 10-15 seconds, work non-stop for 4-5 hours at a stretch, and endure unsafe conditions. He also claimed that workers supporting unionisation have been placed in solitary confinement or excluded from production activities as punishment.
Samsung India did not respond to a detailed questionnaire from FE regarding these allegations and its efforts to resolve the protest.
From: financialexpress
Financial News
