SOCIOLOGY OF SAMSUNG PROTEST
Since September 9, over 1,000 Samsung India Electronics workers have been protesting in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, drawing global attention as a significant labour movement. This factory is one of two Samsung plants in India, with the other located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The facility, which produces televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines, contributes nearly a third of Samsung Electronics’ annual $12 billion revenue from India.
Key demands of the protestors
📌A three-year salary increase to Rs.36,000
📌Recognising the TRADE UNION (one of the major demands )
📌Providing Rs.500 annual service weightage
📌Increasing shift allowance from Rs.150 to Rs.250
📌Extending paternal leave from three to seven days, and
📌Equalising pay for workers with the same qualifications and duties.
These demands were initially presented to Samsung management on July 11, 2024.
Samsung agreed to some concessions — wage increases and additional benefits — but the core issue of union recognition remained.
The Samsung India Workers Union (SIWU), a CITU-backed trade union formed at Samsung in July 2023, awaits official registration and company recognition. Despite the Government of India’s 45-day time limit for trade union registration under the Trade Unions Act, 1926, over 90 days have passed without resolution.
A registration grants a union legal standing and affords it certain protections under the Trade Union Act,1929. It grants the union immunity from civil and criminal actions during strikes Registration also grants the union the right to enter collective bargaining discussions and represent members during labour disputes.
It is to be noted that in July, the company faced a major strike at its plant in Seoul, South Korea,under the banner National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU).Samsung is against the idea of Trade union formation since its inception but NSEU has been recognized by the company recently.
What's your opinion as a student of Sociology for these questions ...
🔺Should Government support the workers by recognizing Trade Union ? or
🔺Be on the side of Samsung as GOVERNMENT wants to protect the Jobs of the youth for future ?
Analyse the pros and cons of it ...
