Talks between Samsung employees and management fail again, protest to continue

Chennai: Efforts to reach an agreement between protesting employees of Samsung India factory here and the management failed on Friday with both sides sticking to their stands. As a result, the CITU-affiliated Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU) announced that the sit-in strike by its members will continue and escalate the protests against the management’s attitude.

At the third round of talks on Friday, the SIWU demanded that Samsung India revoke the suspension of three employees but the management of the company rejected the demand.

E Muthukumar, President of the recently-recognised SIWU told DH that the protest will continue till the management revokes the suspension of the employees.

“There was no agreement in today’s talks due to the adamant attitude of Samsung,” Muthukumar said, adding that the employees were suspended by their higher authorities for their involvement in forming the union.

When sought for a reaction, a spokesperson for Samsung India said a section of its workers is engaged in an illegal strike within the Chennai factory premises, while most of the dedicated workers continue to ensure that production remains uninterrupted.

“We have filed official complaints with the relevant authorities against certain employees who have violated company policy. At Samsung, we are compliant with all applicable laws,” the spokesperson added.

The Tamil Nadu government recognised SIWU in the last week of January after sitting on the application for seven months. The non-registration and non-recognition of the Union led to a massive protests by the employees that hit national headlines.

After tripartite talks, the protest, which began on September 9, was called off on October 15 following assurances by Samsung that it won’t act against employees who protested against the management.