With the union now officially recognised, workers hope that the labour department will take stronger action to ensure improved working conditions and that Samsung management will be held accountable for its treatment of employees.
In a significant victory for workers’ rights, the Tamil Nadu Labour Department officially registered the Samsung India Workers Union (SIWU) on January 26, 2025, after months of delay and intense protests. The union, formally recognised under the Trade Unions Act, 1926, was granted a certificate of registration — referred to as “Form C” — on Monday, marking a historic step in the long-running battle for fair labour practices at Samsung’s Sriperumbudur plant.
SIWU is affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).
This move comes after a 38-day strike at the Sriperumbudur facility, which began on September 9, 2024, and resonated across the country, inspiring labour movements not only in India but globally. The strike gained traction as workers, suffering under long hours, poor pay, and harsh working conditions, united for their rights. Their action sparked a wave of support, highlighting the critical issues within Samsung’s manufacturing operations.
The Struggle for Better Working Conditions
Samsung India Electronics, a subsidiary of the South Korea-based tech giant, established its presence in India in 1995 with its primary focus on smartphone production. Over the years, the company expanded operations to include high-tech home appliances at its Sriperumbudur plant in Tamil Nadu in 2007. Since then, the plant has operated on demanding two-shift schedules, with workers facing excessive production quotas that often result in gruelling hours. Some reports indicate that workers are expected to complete tasks with minimal time per product — just 10 to 15 seconds for most assembly tasks, with some requiring completion in as little as four seconds.
Despite years of service, many employees earn as little as Rs 24,000 to Rs 34,000 per month, with limited salary increases. In stark contrast, their counterparts in South Korea reportedly earn around Rs 4.55 lakh per month. While Samsung India Electronics reported revenues of Rs 98,924 crore in the 2022-23 fiscal year, the disparity in pay and working conditions remains glaring.
In addition to financial disparities, workers have raised issues such as inadequate leave, poor canteen and restroom facilities, and subpar transportation. A Memorandum of Agreement signed between the management and a select group of employees failed to address these ongoing concerns, and workers frequently face mistreatment. Workers have reported derogatory remarks from supervisors, and those who speak up are often subject to suspension or dismissal.
The Rise of the Samsung India Workers Union
The formation of SIWU was not without significant challenges. Samsung’s notorious “no-union” policy has long silenced worker protests in India, with no recognised union in either of its plants in Noida or Sriperumbudur. However, the situation began to shift in 2021 when Samsung was forced to allow union formation at its Seoul plant following a string of high-profile labour violations. This movement culminated in the first-ever strike in Samsung’s history in South Korea in June 2024, which caught the attention of Indian workers.
On June 16, 2024, the same day that the workers in Seoul staged their strike, the Sriperumbudur workers held a General Body (GB) meeting where they formally founded the Samsung India Thozhilar Sangam (SIWU). The union, led by E. Muthukumar, President of the CITU district, adopted two major resolutions: one expressing solidarity with the Seoul workers and the other seeking affiliation with CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions). Following this, the union applied for registration on June 26, 2024, submitting a list of office-bearers and a Charter of Demands to Samsung management the next day.
Despite these formal requests, Samsung management ignored the workers’ grievances and instead attempted to sideline the union by creating a company-backed “Workmen Committee.” In August 2024, SIWU issued a strike notice demanding their right to unionise and engage in collective bargaining, which led to a conciliation meeting with the labour department. However, this meeting yielded no results, and union leaders were subjected to intimidation, including threats from hired goons.
A Hard-Fought Victory
Despite these immense challenges, including physical threats and a lack of protection from local authorities, the workers’ struggle has borne fruit with the official registration of the Samsung India Workers’ Union. This milestone is a testament to the resilience and determination of the workers who fought against exploitation and for basic rights. The successful registration has opened the doors to formal negotiations and collective bargaining, offering hope for a fairer working environment at Samsung India Electronics.
With the union now officially recognised, workers hope that the labour department will take stronger action to ensure improved working conditions and that Samsung management will be held accountable for its treatment of employees. The registration of SIWU stands as a symbol of the ongoing labour struggle, not just at Samsung, but across the Indian manufacturing sector.
