Officials from the state of Tamil Nadu are scheduled to visit a Samsung plant in Chennai to resolve a conflict with 500 workers who are staging a sit-in protest over the suspension of three colleagues, according to the state minister. This marks the second labor dispute at the Sriperumbudur factory in less than six months, with the protest now in its ninth day.
State Labor Minister C.V. Ganesan stated, "The government will take necessary action to resolve the issue... Normalcy at the Samsung plant is expected to be restored within two-to-three days." Samsung, in response, declared that the majority of its employees are maintaining production continuity, labeling the protest as an illegal strike and reaffirming compliance with all relevant laws.
The protesting union has stipulated that the workers engaged in the sit-in will only return if Samsung agrees to reinstate the suspended individuals. Additionally, Ganesan mentioned that the government is investigating claims by the union regarding the use of contract workers by the electronics manufacturer. Despite reports that Samsung had hired contract workers, production has remained unaffected by the protest.
With approximately 1,800 employees, the factory produces refrigerators, televisions, and washing machines, contributing one-fifth of Samsung's $12 billion in sales in India during the 2022-23 period. Notably, a labor strike occurred last year at the same plant, prompting Samsung to address worker demands for higher wages and union recognition.