Samsung Workers Protest in Sriperumbudur Over Suspension of Union Leaders

A section of Samsung workers at the company’s manufacturing unit in Sriperumbudur staged a sit-in strike on Wednesday against the suspension of three employees, who were allegedly removed without any valid reason. The suspended workers were office-bearers of the recently registered Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU), backed by CITU and recognized under the Trade Unions Act by Tamil Nadu’s Labour department.

E Muthukumar, Kancheepuram CITU secretary and SIWU president, alleged that the suspensions were a move by Samsung to suppress the union. However, Samsung stated that the employees were suspended for disrupting operations at the plant.

Muthukumar noted that workers had previously ended their protest in October last year, based on the company’s assurance of no retaliatory actions. He emphasized that any grievances could have been raised during the ongoing conciliatory talks. Employees fear that further disciplinary actions may follow, as only three suspensions have been issued so far.

Samsung sources confirmed that a disciplinary committee is investigating the matter before making further decisions. A Samsung India spokesperson stated that the company enforces a zero-tolerance policy against any conduct that disrupts a professional workplace. The suspended employees allegedly violated company policy and will undergo formal inquiry and disciplinary action.

The Tamil Nadu Labour department officially registered SIWU under the Trade Unions Act, 1926, on January 27, making it the first Samsung workers’ union in India. Since then, additional conciliatory talks have been held between SIWU members and labour officials. CITU members claim that Samsung retaliated against workers for last year’s month-long protest and their refusal to support an internal workers' committee. The protesting workers have vowed to continue their strike until the suspensions are revoked.