Workers at Samsung's India unit go on indefinite strike

Samsung India's employee union alleges that the company is undermining their labour union by creating a rival one. Approximately 1,500 workers have initiated an indefinite strike due to forced overtime and wage revision issues. The newly formed union is still unregistered. Samsung India executives are expected to hold talks with the workers on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: Samsung India's employee union has alleged that the company is involved in weakening and destabilising the employees' labour union and floating a competitive one. Around 1,500 workers of the company went on an indefinite strike on Monday, alleging the South Korean tech giant sabotaged the existing union and forced employees to work overtime. They also have concerns around wage revision and want the company to hold talks with the union.

The union, affiliated with CITU, was formed two months ago with 1,550 workers at the Samsung Electronics plant at Sunguvarchatram , near Sriperumbudur, west of Chennai. The Union is yet to be registered under the Registrar of Unions. E Muthukumar , president of the union, said, "Our demands were not met and the management has urged us to disband the union.

They are hindering the recognition of the union by raising complaints. When the union took a decision to stop overtime, the management forced employees to work overtime up to 11 hours. TOI sent a detailed query to Samsung, but is yet to get a response.

It is believed that Samsung India executives will hold talks with the workers on Tuesday..