Why hundreds of Samsung workers are protesting in India

In Chennai, India, a significant number of Samsung workers are currently engaged in a protest, demanding improved wages and better working conditions. This strike has seen the participation of over a thousand workers and has been ongoing for more than a week. The workers are advocating for the recognition of their newly formed labor union, known as the Samsung India Labour Welfare Union (SILWU). They believe that having a union is essential for negotiating better pay and working hours with the management. This protest is one of the largest that Samsung has experienced in recent years, highlighting the workers' determination to have their voices heard. Each day, the workers gather at a designated area near the factory, expressing their demands and seeking fair treatment from Samsung. Recently, the police detained some of the protesting workers for marching without the necessary permission, but they were released later in the day. The workers have made it clear that they will continue their strike indefinitely until their demands are met. Their primary requests include the recognition of their new union, the ability to negotiate collectively, and the rejection of competing unions, as approximately 90% of the workforce belongs to SILWU. The Samsung factory in Chennai plays a crucial role in the company's operations in India, contributing significantly to its annual revenue. Workers at the plant earn an average salary of 25,000 rupees per month, which is roughly equivalent to 298 dollars. They are seeking a staggered raise totaling a 50% increase over the next three years. The workers have raised concerns about being pressured to complete their tasks too quickly and working in unsafe conditions. Samsung has denied these allegations, asserting that all employees receive appropriate breaks and that they comply with labor laws. The company has stated that the welfare of its workers is a top priority and that discussions are ongoing to resolve the issues at hand. Tamil Nadu's Labour Welfare Minister has also assured union officials that efforts are being made to address the workers' concerns. One protester, Sijo, shared that he arrives at the protest site daily and stays until the evening, joining hundreds of fellow workers in their blue Samsung uniforms. The union provides meals and water for the protesters, and they have set up a makeshift tent for shelter. However, there are no restroom facilities available, forcing the workers to use the outdoors. Sijo expressed that while employees had worked without complaints for many years, the situation has deteriorated in recent times, prompting the need for union support. He emphasized that his salary does not keep up with the rising cost of living, which has strained his family's finances. The landscape of labor representation in India has changed, especially after Samsung faced public scrutiny regarding its practices. In July, workers in South Korea also went on strike, demanding better pay and more leave. Many Indian workers are part of trade unions, often supported by leftist political parties, which use their influence to enforce labor laws and negotiate better conditions. However, there are concerns that foreign companies operating in India resist adhering to local labor laws regarding workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively. Labor rights activists have accused multinational corporations, including Apple and Amazon, of underpaying and overworking their employees while collaborating with state governments to suppress workers' rights. A labor economist noted that these corporations employ various strategies to prevent workers from forming unions in developing countries like India. For instance, they often oppose external unions backed by political groups and encourage the formation of internal unions that are more manageable for the company. This approach allows management to maintain some control over union activities. The workers at the Chennai plant have reportedly been approached by management with such proposals, which they have rejected. A source within Samsung India stated that the company fully supports unions but not those affiliated with third parties. The company has expressed its willingness to communicate with a work council made up of a majority of employees regarding wages, benefits, and working conditions. The rise of contract labor has also become a significant strategy for multinational corporations to prevent unionization by ensuring a compliant workforce. According to government statistics, contractual laborers made up about 40% of the workforce in industrial establishments in India in 2022. Companies often use the threat of relocation or non-expansion to discourage state governments from enforcing labor laws. However, workers can leverage global labor unions to pressure companies to comply with international labor standards.