٠٠:٠٣:٥٨Police officers and supporters of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were seen clashing in Chennai on Saturday as demonstrators rallied in support of the Samsung factory workers' demands for better working conditions and recognition of their trade union.
"The Government of Tamil Nadu and the Samsung Corporation are both rejecting these demands. Its unfortunate to see that the Tamil Nadu Government is acting as the voice of Samsung," said Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)'s Assistant General Secretary, Kannan.
Footage shows police officers detaining a protesters and surrounding others that were demonstrating while sitting on the ground. Footage also shows protesters chanting while rallying with signs and CPI flags.
"This is not an illegal strike, the strike is happening within the rule of law. We have given notice to the management. We have made a lot of preparations. Negotiations are going on with the Industrial ministry. The Industrial ministry should resolve this," Kannan added.
"If the workers who have been peacefully working for the last 17 years see the necessity of forming a Trade union now is because of the illegal activities committed by the Samsung Corporation. Instead of stopping these illegal activities, the Government of Tamil Nadu is supporting the Samsung Corporation which is indulging in illegal activities," he continued.
This demonstration comes after local police reportedly arrested hundreds of Samsung workers who participated in a similar protest in Chennai on Tuesday.
Strikes at the Korean giant's local plant began on September 9, causing disruptions to operations. According to union leaders, 1,550 of the factory's 1,770 workers are participating in the strike.
In response to the demands, Samsung labelled the strike as 'illegal' and announced that protesting employees would not get paid but promised it would give 'importance' to the needs of the employees. So far, negotiations between the workers and the company have not yielded any results.
"The Trade Union is not against the law," said Kannan. "The Constitution of India allows us to form trade unions and it's our right. I don't understand why the multinational companies are objecting to that. The Samsung Corporation is saying that the Samsung Corporation Union should not be kept in India. In South Korea, the same Samsung Corporation permits the National Samsung Electronic Workers Union."
The Samsung plant accounts for one-fifth of Samsung's annual revenue in India, based on 2022-2023 figures. This plant manufactures home appliances such as refrigerators, televisions and washing machines.
'Govt is acting as the voice of Samsung' - Police clash with protesters as hundreds call for union recognition in Chennai
Police officers and supporters of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were seen clashing in Chennai on Saturday as demonstrators rallied in support of the Samsung factory workers' demands for better working conditions and recognition of their trade union.
"The Government of Tamil Nadu and the Samsung Corporation are both rejecting these demands. Its unfortunate to see that the Tamil Nadu Government is acting as the voice of Samsung," said Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)'s Assistant General Secretary, Kannan.
Footage shows police officers detaining a protesters and surrounding others that were demonstrating while sitting on the ground. Footage also shows protesters chanting while rallying with signs and CPI flags.
"This is not an illegal strike, the strike is happening within the rule of law. We have given notice to the management. We have made a lot of preparations. Negotiations are going on with the Industrial ministry. The Industrial ministry should resolve this," Kannan added.
"If the workers who have been peacefully working for the last 17 years see the necessity of forming a Trade union now is because of the illegal activities committed by the Samsung Corporation. Instead of stopping these illegal activities, the Government of Tamil Nadu is supporting the Samsung Corporation which is indulging in illegal activities," he continued.
This demonstration comes after local police reportedly arrested hundreds of Samsung workers who participated in a similar protest in Chennai on Tuesday.
Strikes at the Korean giant's local plant began on September 9, causing disruptions to operations. According to union leaders, 1,550 of the factory's 1,770 workers are participating in the strike.
In response to the demands, Samsung labelled the strike as 'illegal' and announced that protesting employees would not get paid but promised it would give 'importance' to the needs of the employees. So far, negotiations between the workers and the company have not yielded any results.
"The Trade Union is not against the law," said Kannan. "The Constitution of India allows us to form trade unions and it's our right. I don't understand why the multinational companies are objecting to that. The Samsung Corporation is saying that the Samsung Corporation Union should not be kept in India. In South Korea, the same Samsung Corporation permits the National Samsung Electronic Workers Union."
The Samsung plant accounts for one-fifth of Samsung's annual revenue in India, based on 2022-2023 figures. This plant manufactures home appliances such as refrigerators, televisions and washing machines.
Police officers and supporters of the Communist Party of India (CPI) were seen clashing in Chennai on Saturday as demonstrators rallied in support of the Samsung factory workers' demands for better working conditions and recognition of their trade union.
"The Government of Tamil Nadu and the Samsung Corporation are both rejecting these demands. Its unfortunate to see that the Tamil Nadu Government is acting as the voice of Samsung," said Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)'s Assistant General Secretary, Kannan.
Footage shows police officers detaining a protesters and surrounding others that were demonstrating while sitting on the ground. Footage also shows protesters chanting while rallying with signs and CPI flags.
"This is not an illegal strike, the strike is happening within the rule of law. We have given notice to the management. We have made a lot of preparations. Negotiations are going on with the Industrial ministry. The Industrial ministry should resolve this," Kannan added.
"If the workers who have been peacefully working for the last 17 years see the necessity of forming a Trade union now is because of the illegal activities committed by the Samsung Corporation. Instead of stopping these illegal activities, the Government of Tamil Nadu is supporting the Samsung Corporation which is indulging in illegal activities," he continued.
This demonstration comes after local police reportedly arrested hundreds of Samsung workers who participated in a similar protest in Chennai on Tuesday.
Strikes at the Korean giant's local plant began on September 9, causing disruptions to operations. According to union leaders, 1,550 of the factory's 1,770 workers are participating in the strike.
In response to the demands, Samsung labelled the strike as 'illegal' and announced that protesting employees would not get paid but promised it would give 'importance' to the needs of the employees. So far, negotiations between the workers and the company have not yielded any results.
"The Trade Union is not against the law," said Kannan. "The Constitution of India allows us to form trade unions and it's our right. I don't understand why the multinational companies are objecting to that. The Samsung Corporation is saying that the Samsung Corporation Union should not be kept in India. In South Korea, the same Samsung Corporation permits the National Samsung Electronic Workers Union."
The Samsung plant accounts for one-fifth of Samsung's annual revenue in India, based on 2022-2023 figures. This plant manufactures home appliances such as refrigerators, televisions and washing machines.