Samsung India Electronics has denied a report suggesting that the company sent ‘snack boxes’ with fruits and chocolates to striking workers in India. The report first appeared in a Frontline article dated September 19.
For almost a month now, workers at the Samsung Electronics manufacturing unit in Chennai have been staging a protest for better wages, better working conditions, and the recognition of their union.
Striking workers’ demands
The Samsung plant in Tamil Nadu employs roughly 1,800 workers and more than 1,000 of them have been on strike since September 9.
The strike is led by the Samsung India Workers Union-Centre of Indian Trade Unions (SIWU-CITU).
The SIWU-CITU is demanding recognition of the union, a three-year salary increase to ₹36,000, an increase in shift allowance from ₹150 to ₹250, and extension of paternal leave from three to seven days. The union also wants Samsung Electronics to institute equal pay for workers with the same qualifications and duties.
Samsung India Electronics Private Limited, established in 2007, has functioned without a union for the past 16 years.
{{/usCountry}}Samsung India Electronics Private Limited, established in 2007, has functioned without a union for the past 16 years.
{{/usCountry}}The Samsung India Workers Union, backed by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, was formed last year but still awaits official registration and recognition from the company.
Last month, Samsung Electronics warned its striking workers that they will not receive wages if they continue protesting and also face the risk of termination, reported Reuters.
According to the Frontline report, the management had sent snack kits with fruits and chocolates to striking workers. Samsung Electronics management also visited the families of employees, hoping it would discourage participation in the protests, the report said.
“They’re sending ‘snacks kits’ with fruits and chocolates to our homes, calling and visiting family members to discourage strike participation,” a Samsung employee of eight years, who did not wish to be named, told the publication.
Workers observed a token fast on October 2 near the factory as part of intensifying their ongoing protest.