- By Mayukh Debnath
- Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:08 PM (IST)
- Source:Reuters
Samsung India Strike Ends: Workers at Samsung's plant in Sriperumbudur near Chennai have decided to end their month-long strike, the multinational giant said on Tuesday. Samsung said it welcomes the decision of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) to call off the strike. The company said it would not take action against workers who participated in the strike.
The strike had begun on September 9 with workers putting forth demands like wage revision, improved working conditions, and the labour department's recognition of a newly-formed trade union backed by CITU. The strike was called off following extensive discussions between the representatives of workers, the Tamil Nadu government, and Samsung's management.
"Samsung India welcomes CITU's decision to call off the illegal strike. We thank the government of Tamil Nadu for its support and welcome our workers who have decided to return to work unconditionally. We will not take action against workers who merely participated in the illegal strike," said a Samsung India spokesperson.
Sources cited by news agency IANS said that the breakthrough came after senior DMK leader and state minister EV Velu joined the negotiations. According to IANS's sources in Samsung India, the agreement includes a hike in wages, which had already been agreed upon, and no disciplinary action against the agitating employees.
However, the main issue raised by the CPI-M-backed CITU regarding the registration of its union is not part of the agreement. The management stated in discussions with Tamil Nadu ministers that the matter is already before the Madras High Court, and a decision will be taken after the court's verdict.
A consensus was reached between the striking workers and the company management that the registration of the union could be pursued based on the legal outcome. The CITU, however, agreed to call off the strike after the Tamil Nadu government expressed its support for registering the union within the company. Representatives from both the management and the striking workers agreed that all workers would immediately call off the strike and return to work.
(With inputs from agencies)
