In Tamil Nadu, India, Samsung workers have been on strike since September 9, demanding higher wages and union recognition. The strike has disrupted production at a critical plant that contributes significantly to Samsung’s India sales. Despite Samsung’s offer of incentives, the labor group leading the protests, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), has rejected the agreement as it does not recognize their union.
Samsung has stated that it signed an agreement and will address workers’ concerns, but the strike continues. State industries minister T.R.B. Rajaa has urged workers to return to work, with Samsung agreeing to fulfill 14 demands and willing to discuss more. Workers at the plant, who earn an average of 25,000 rupees ($300) per month, are demanding a raise to 36,000 rupees over three years.
The plant, which manufactures refrigerators, TVs, and washing machines, employs around 1,800 permanent workers and is crucial to Samsung’s operations in India. Despite the unrest in Tamil Nadu, Samsung’s other factory in Uttar Pradesh, which produces smartphones, has experienced no labor issues.