Samsung India has also decided to allow staff to resume work without obtaining a formal undertaking, reversing its previous demand that employees guarantee not to participate in future rallies
Workers connected with the Samsung India Workers' Union (SIWU) have ended their month-long strike after management at Samsung's Sriperumbudur manufacturing unit decided to reinstate them. However, the suspension of 23 employees remains unresolved and will be considered in detail at a meeting on March 12.
The protesting employees will return to work in batches beginning March 8. "We called off the strike after Samsung India management recognized an email sent on March 5 in which the workers stated their willingness to resume work. Employees would return in batches based on the company's choice," stated CITU state president A Soundararajan.
Samsung India has also decided to allow staff to resume work without obtaining a formal undertaking, reversing its previous demand that employees guarantee not to participate in future rallies. Workers will return after completing a one-day training program, with customised timetables notified by email. Meanwhile, individuals on Suspension Pending Enquiry will face disciplinary action, with a factory circular warning staff against engaging in illicit activities in the future.
Samsung reinstated employees after they signed a letter recognizing their participation in the strike and asked that their access cards be reactivated. A Samsung India spokeswoman praised the workers' decision to halt their "illegal strike" and return to work at the Chennai plant.
The strike began on February 5, when SIWU staged a sit-in protest over the suspension of three major union officials. Tensions rose when workers transferred their demonstration from a designated place on the corporate grounds to the shop floor. The protesters also requested the dismissal of contract workers, who were allegedly hired to replace the striking workers.
On February 20, Samsung representatives did not attend a scheduled session of discussions with union members, citing difficulties imposed by the ongoing sit-in action. In response, the protesters moved their demonstration outside the company's headquarters, where they were joined by CITU members.
Amid the rising tensions, Samsung banned 20 more employees, prohibiting them from reporting to work until an investigation was concluded. The corporation claimed that the suspensions were caused by a group of employees attempting to force their way into senior management's offices on the second floor.