Tensions are rising in southern India as police have detained around 100 striking workers and union leaders protesting low wages at a Samsung Electronics plant. The detentions mark an escalation of a strike that began last week, with workers at the Samsung home appliance plant near Chennai city in Tamil Nadu demanding higher wages and improved working conditions.
The strike has significantly impacted production, disrupting roughly a third of Samsung’s annual $12 billion Indian revenue. Workers have been boycotting work for seven days and have set up a makeshift tent near the plant to continue their protest.
Police officials cited a lack of permission for the planned protest march on Monday as the reason for the detentions. A senior police official, Sankar Ganesh, stated that the workers were under “preventive arrest” but declined to provide further details.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Samsung is resisting recognition of a union backed by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), a major labor group. Workers are demanding recognition for this union and are seeking better working hours in addition to their wage demands.
A. Jenitan, a union leader of CITU, reported that police also detained one of their senior leaders, E. Muthukumar, who was leading the Samsung protests. “The workers have been asked to return to the (strike) tent,” he said.
The situation highlights the ongoing struggles of workers in India seeking fair wages and workplace protections. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for both Samsung and its employees in India.
