Workers End 38-Day Strike at Samsung Factory in Tamil Nadu

Chennai - Workers at Samsung Electronics' Sunguvarchatiram factory in Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, have ended a 38-day strike after reaching an agreement with the company. The September 9th strike involved over 1,500 employees demanding wage increases, union recognition, and an eight-hour workday.

The agreement, brokered by the Tamil Nadu government, includes commitments from Samsung management to address workers' grievances and implement welfare measures. Workers will resume their duties on October 17.

A Soundararajan, General Secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), confirmed the strike's end, stating that workers received assurances from management that there would be no retaliation for their participation in the protest.

The resolution followed a series of conciliation talks between the Tamil Nadu government, union leaders, and Samsung management, culminating in a meeting at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat on October 15. Four state ministers and Labour Department officials mediated between the parties, ultimately facilitating an agreement.

The Labour Department confirmed that Samsung management agreed to submit a formal response to workers' demands through the department and committed to good-faith cooperation with employees. Workers vowed to help the administration restore normal operations at the plant.

The Tamil Nadu government, in a statement, said, "Following the Chief Minister's directives, key ministers and department officials conducted meetings at various stages to resolve the dispute amicably." The government emphasized that the agreement provides a way forward based on mutual respect and trust.

The Samsung factory in Chennai's outskirts employs over 1,500 people. The strike disrupted production, prompting government intervention to negotiate between both sides.