‘Strike at Samsung unit to continue’

CHENNAI: Several Tamil Nadu ministers held parleys with management and workers of Samsung, and CITU through Monday to end the month-long strike by a section of workers at the Samsung plant near Chennai.
But a breakthrough eluded them, despite prolonged deliberations that continued late in the night and despite the company offering special incentives including Rs 5,000 as Productivity Stabilisation Incentive from Oct 2024 to March, 2025.
While representatives of a section of workers signed an MoU with the company after it offered additional incentives and facilities, CITU said the strike will continue.
One minister appealed to all sections of workers to return to work and sort out other pending issues through talks.
“Since the issue over the demand for a CITU registered Union is in the court, we did not discuss that,” he said.
“Samsung India today (Monday) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the workmen committee of its Chennai factory. Both parties agreed on collaborative efforts to make the Chennai factory a great place to work. We will engage with workmen directly to address the difficulties faced by them. We will also work with them for the development of the community in Chennai as a responsible company, ” a Samsung spokesperson said.
“We are cognizant of the Tamil Nadu government’s efforts to end the illegal strike and are thankful to the authorities for their constant support. We reiterate that we comply with all laws and regulations of the country,” the spokesperson added.
“We held talks with the ministers. But they did not agree to our major demands, ” E Muthukumar, president, Samsung India Employees Union told TOI.
In a statement, he said any information being spread about an agreement having been reached to end the strike is only a diversionary tactic by the management.
“The strike will continue and we will participate with our families, ” Muthukumar said.