Samsung's Sriperumbudur Plant Faces Strike After Suspension Of 3 Employees: Report

A new labour dispute has surfaced at Samsung's Sriperumbudur manufacturing facility near Chennai, with a group of employees starting a strike over the suspension of three workers. The conflict centres around contested disciplinary actions that have reignited tensions between employees and management, says a report by CNBC TV18.

Workers allege that the suspensions are retaliatory, directly linked to their affiliation with the recently registered Samsung India Workers Union (SIWU), the report added. 

An employee on the condition of anonymity was quoted as saying: "The management has been insinuating that it would rather not have any of us be part of a union and represent ourselves through these unions. We see no other reason for the suspension."

Company's View

Samsung maintains that the suspensions are based on legitimate disciplinary grounds. The company's official statement asserts that the suspended employees were engaged in activities that violated its professional conduct standards. Samsung claims these individuals were inappropriately pressuring other workers to participate in protests against the organization.

"Our global code of conduct stipulates that the company has a zero-tolerance policy for any type of behaviour that goes against maintaining a professional and respectful workplace environment," said a statement issued by Samsung, according to the CNBC TV18 report.

The current conflict is not an isolated incident but part of a broader narrative. In September 2024, around 1,100 workers initiated a prolonged strike demanding improved wages, enhanced privileges, and formal union recognition. The SIWU played a pivotal role in these earlier protests.

Following those demonstrations, Samsung's management made partial concessions. They established a "workmen committee" and committed to providing additional employee benefits, including expanded leave and insurance provisions. The Madras High Court subsequently intervened, directing the registration of the SIWU under the Tamil Nadu Labour Department.