Samsung workers continued their protest in front of the factory at Sunguvarchatram in Kancheepuram district on Friday. The stir was later withdrawn
| Photo Credit: B. Velankanni Raj
Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU), backed by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), on Friday (March 7, 2025) announced the withdrawal of its month-long strike, with the company agreeing to reinstate the protesting workers.
The union’s decision came after government officials and company representatives urged the protesting workers to return to duty, according to sources.
“The management understands that the illegal strike in which certain group of workers had participated has been withdrawn with effect from today [07.03.2025] as per the workers communication mail dated 05.03.2025,” said a company circular issued on Friday to workers.
The company’s circular on the reinstatement of workers
| Photo Credit:
Sanjay Vijayakumar
“Considering the workers request and ID unblock request today [07.03.2025] and as per our management communication mail dated 06.03.2025, we will organise the training programme batch wise. The training programme will commence from 08.03.2025. The training schedule of the individual shall be communicated through individual email,” it added.
“The workers who are kept under the Suspension Pending Enquiry shall undergo the Disciplinary Action Proceedings. Advising workers not to resort to any illegal activities in future,” the circular further said.
Over 1,000 workers have been on strike since February 5, 2025, over the suspension of 23 union members. On Friday, at around 7 a.m., a large number of the protesting workers gathered at Samsung’s factory in Sunguvarchatram seeking entry, a day after talks between the Union and management before the Additional Labour Commissioner failed to end the dispute over the suspension of workers.
A large number of police personnel were deployed at the factory entrance. A company representative made announcements asking the protesting workers not to block employee movement.
Later, the company representative asked the workers excluding the suspended workers to fill a form seeking access. The form mentioned that the employee’s ID card was blocked due to participation in the protest and contained a request for ID to be reactivated.
While the management said workers would be allowed from Saturday and mails would be sent to individual employees, the union demanded the assurance in writing.
It took nearly five hours for the issue to be sorted out.
CITU State president Soundararajan and E. Muthukumar, district secretary, CITU Kancheepuram, speaking to The Hindu on the factory premises, said the strike was withdrawn after the company agreed to reinstate the workers in writing. However, they said they would continue their protest if union activities were suppressed and the internal committee was promoted.
Mr. Muthukumar said 23 workers have been suspended and the reconciliation process would continue. The management has called for disciplinary action as per law against the suspended workers. The next round of talks would be held before Additional Commissioner on March 12.
“Despite our best efforts to arrive at a mutually beneficial agreement through constructive dialogue, the union continues to make unreasonable demands and is changing its position constantly, leading to an impasse in the negotiations,” Samsung India spokesperson had said in a statement on Thursday.
“We uphold a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal acts within the workplace and are committed to maintaining a a safe and productive environment for all,” the statement had added.
Published – March 07, 2025 12:51 pm IST