‘No work, no pay,’ Samsung warns striking Indian workers as row escalates

Samsung India factory warned workers in southern India they will receieve wages and could face termination if they continue protesting for higher wages.
| Photo Credit: BIJOY GHOSH

Samsung Electronics has told its workers protesting at its Sriperumbudur manufacturing facility that they will not be paid if they continue their strike and that they may be terminated.

The workers have been protesting since September 9 demanding recognition of their new union and an increase wages.

In a detailed email on Friday, the company said, “As per Section 9 of the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the management proposes to impose an eight-day wage cut. It is needless to mention that you shall not be entitled to wages from September 9, 2024, to the date you report to work on a ‘no work, no pay’ basis… However, If you only wish to continue your illegal strike and fail to report to work immediately, you are hereby called upon to show cause within three days from the date of receipt of this notice as to why the eight-day wage cut may not be imposed…”

It further said, “If you fail to report to work within four days from the date of receipt of this notice, you are directed to show cause within seven days from the date of receipt of this notice as to why you should not be dismissed from service…”

The email, from the General Manager of the HR team, pointed out that the strike was in contravention of Sections 23 and 24 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, and the standing orders of the factory. “The management has already indicated that all issues can be resolved through discussions, and has made various harmonious attempts to resolve the differences for you to report to duty. However, there is no positive response from your end. You are, hereby, informed and advised that your absence owing to the participation in the illegal strike has severely disrupted the factory operations. You are hereby once again called upon to immediately resume duty, and no vindictive action will be initiated against you,” the email read.

E. Muthukumar, Kancheepuram district secretary, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), who has been spearheading the protest, confirmed that the protesting employees had received the email. “The protest will continue until we get a solution. The company is now roping in contract workers, which is not right,” he added.

Through an email, Samsung India spokesperson said, “We have informed our policy to the workers, based on the relevant laws and regulations, and urged them to return to work immediately. The safety and well-being of our workers are a priority. We remain committed to resolving this issue.”

Various sources in the company told The Hindu that about 50% of the production was impacted on the first day of the strike. However, the impact was minimal now. “We have ramped up production with the workers who are not protesting. We have also got some contract workers. Our consumers will not be impacted [by the strike],” a source said.

The source said the company would speak to the workers directly about their demands, and not with any “union”. Besides, the allegations pertaining to the working conditions were untrue, he said, adding, “We have a world-class facility here.”

The Samsung facility has 1,800 workers, of whom 900-1,000 (the number varies on a day-to-day basis) have been protesting. Established in 2007, the facility is one of Samsung’s two factories in India. The other is in Noida. The Tamil Nadu plant makes consumer products, including television sets, washing machines, and air-conditioners.