After 37 days, Samsung workers end their strike for better pay and conditions, returning to work today after securing new incentives and support from Tamil Nadu officials.
Workers at Samsung India’s factory in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, who had been on strike for better pay and working conditions, will return to work today, according to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
The protest, which began on September 9, was led by the CITU, advocating for several demands, including a pay revision and recognition of the newly formed Samsung India Workers Union.
The announcement to resume work follows a statement from the Tamil Nadu government confirming the end of the 37-day strike after discussions between worker representatives and the company’s management.
The CITU held a general meeting on Wednesday near the Sriperumbudur facility, attended by the striking employees. CITU State President A. Sounderarajan confirmed that employees would return to work on October 17 but noted that under Samsung India’s ‘No Work, No Pay’ policy, they would not receive wages for the duration of the strike.
Samsung India welcomed the decision to end the strike and expressed gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for its support. The company assured that no disciplinary actions would be taken against workers for their participation in the strike, provided they refrain from any prejudicial actions.
Approximately 1,100 out of 1,750 employees at the Sriperumbudur plant, which has been operational since 2007 and manufactures various consumer durable products, participated in the strike.
The strike, beginning last month, stemmed from workers’ concerns over heavy workloads, low wages, demanding overtime targets, and Samsung’s refusal to recognise their union.
The CITU highlighted significant wage disparities, noting that workers in Seoul earn between ₹450,000 and ₹600,000 lakh monthly, while Indian workers earn only ₹20,000 to ₹25,000. Consequently, the union proposed a gradual wage increase to ₹36,000 over three years.
In response, Samsung agreed to introduce a ‘Productivity Stabilisation Incentive’ of ₹5,000 per month, effective from October 2024 to March 2025, which will factor into future wage discussions. Tamil Nadu state ministers negotiated this agreement.
Additionally, Samsung will expand air-conditioned bus services to cover all routes and provide a ₹100,000 relief fund for employees’ families in case of fatalities. The company is also launching a ‘People First Promise’ programme for worker feedback on improving conditions.
