Samsung Workers Protest for Better Wages and Conditions in Chennai
Samsung employees in Chennai have been protesting for 11 days, demanding better wages and working conditions. The protest is taking place at Sungavachatiram near Sriperambathur on the outskirts of Chennai in Kanchipuram District.
Union Leader’s Statement
Muthukumar, the Tamil Nadu State Secretary of CITU, stated that the Samsung management has filed a case in the Kanchipuram court to move the protestors 500 meters away from the premises, even though they are already two kilometers away. He claimed that the company accused the striking employees of brainwashing those who are still working.
Demands and Support
The union leader emphasized that their demands have not been met and called for the state government to intervene. He mentioned that many organizations have shown support for their protest and that they will continue until their demands are fulfilled. The workers, led by union head E. Muthukumar, are demanding better wages and improved working conditions.
Failed Talks and Legal Actions
The first and second rounds of talks with the state labor department and labor minister failed last week. Earlier on Monday, the protestors were detained when they entered Kanchipuram but were released later in the evening. A case was filed against more than 100 employees. Muthukumar also mentioned that the management has urged them to disband the union and has been hindering its recognition by raising complaints. He added that when the union decided to stop overtime, the management forced employees to work overtime for up to 11 hours.
Doubts Revealed
Samsung -: Samsung is a big company from South Korea that makes electronics like phones, TVs, and refrigerators.
Protest -: A protest is when people gather to show they are unhappy about something and want it to change.
Wages -: Wages are the money people get paid for the work they do.
Conditions -: Conditions refer to the environment and rules at the workplace, like safety, hours, and treatment of workers.
Chennai -: Chennai is a big city in the southern part of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Union -: A union is a group of workers who come together to protect their rights and improve their work conditions.
E. Muthukumar -: E. Muthukumar is the leader of the workers’ union in this protest.
Plant -: A plant is a large factory where things are made or assembled.
State government -: The state government is the group of people who manage the state, like Tamil Nadu, and make decisions for it.
Detained -: Detained means being held or kept by the police for a short time.
