- Wednesday, October 16, 2024
About 1,100 workers were on strike since September 9 to press for various demands which included wage revision and better work conditions
By: Shajil Kumar
IN A major relief to consumer electronic major Samsung, the over a month-long strike by its employees at Tamil Nadu-based plant was called off on Tuesday following extensive discussions between the representatives of workers, the state government and company management.
The 37-day strike was called off after various departments conducted meetings with concerned parties at various stages and the Samusung management announced several welfare measures in the interest of the workers, according to a statement issued by the Tamil Nadu government.
A Samsung India spokesperson said the company welcomed the decision of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) to call off the strike.
Besides, it also assured not to take action against workers who merely participated in the strike, which Samsung termed as “illegal” and said it is committed to work closely with them to “make the Chennai factory a great place to work”.
“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 the spokesperson.
Now all the striking workers will immediately return to work and Samsung would not take any disciplinary action against striking employees, with workers agreeing not to take any “pre-judicial” action, a one-page statement added.
Moreover, the Samsung management will file a written reply to the charter of demands filed by the workers before the conciliation officer.
Samsung had already accepted majority of the demands put forth by the striking workers led by trade union body CITU. However, the issue of giving recognition to the workers’ union remained unresolved.
About 1,100 workers of the total 1,750 employees of Samsung India had been on strike since September 9 to press for various demands which included wage revision, better work conditions, and registration of the newly-formed Samsung India Workers Union backed by CITU by the labour department.
Samsung manufactures appliances and consumer durable products such as refrigerators, TVs, and washing machines at its facility near Chennai. (PTI)
