Samsung Electronics and the Tamil Nadu government confirmed that workers at the Tamil Nadu factory have ended their strike, effectively concluding a labor protest that lasted more than a month.
According to Reuters, AFP, and the Economic Times, the Tamil Nadu state government announced that the strike had officially concluded, noting that representatives from Samsung management and the striking workers were involved in the discussions. According to the state government, Samsung will provide a written response to the workers' demands.
Union leader E. Muthukumar informed Reuters that the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) will make an official announcement on October 16.
The government stated, "Both parties have accepted this advice to end the strike." Workers have communicated their decision to call off the strike immediately and return to work. Consequently, the strike at the Samsung factory has concluded, and all workers are resuming their duties.
Samsung "announced several welfare measures in the interest of the workers," said Tamil Nadu state minister T.R.B. Rajaa in a statement. He confirmed, "The strike at the Samsung factory has concluded, and all workers are resuming their duties."
Samsung India stated, "We will not take action against workers who merely participated in the strike," but did not clarify whether any action might be taken against specific individuals.
According to the agreements reached by the parties, the department stated that workers would not face any retaliation for participating in the strike. The workers expressed their commitment to fully cooperate with management and refrain from any actions deemed "prejudicial to the interests of management."
Since September 9, Samsung workers have been on strike, with hundreds participating at a facility near Chennai that employs around 1,800 workers manufacturing televisions, refrigerators, and other consumer products, demanding a substantial pay increase of 25-30%, union recognition, and reduced working hours. The situation prompted Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to intervene and call for a prompt resolution.
On September 12, Samsung filed a lawsuit against members of a labor union, seeking a temporary injunction from a district court in the state to prevent the union and its members from protesting, chanting slogans, and making speeches in and around the factory.
On October 7, Samsung India Electronics reached a memorandum of agreement with a group of striking workers at the Sriperumbudur plant, addressing several of their demands and stating that both parties would work together to mitigate the difficulties faced by the workers.
