NEW DELHI: Samsung Electronics’ India division filed a lawsuit against members of a labor union for organising 11-day strike at its only home appliances plant in Tamil Nadu, heightening tensions with its workforce.
The September 12 lawsuit, urged district court in the state for a temporary order to restrain the union and its members from agitating, sloganeering and making speeches in and around the factory located near Chennai, according to news agency Reuters.
Since September 9, hundreds of Samsung workers have been protesting in a makeshift tent and have disrupted work, demanding higher wages and recognition of a union at the plant that contributes roughly a third of Samsung’s annual India revenue of $12 billion.
The workers are earning 25,000 rupees ($300) on average per month, CITU says, and they are demanding a raise of 36,000 rupees ($430) over three years.
In the Samsung’s 14-page confidential court filing, it said that the union’s actions “could disrupt the factory’s operations and prevent willing employees from fulfilling their duties”. Such activities “are likely to escalate, endangering the smooth functioning of the factory and the safety of its employees,” Samsung said.
During a Tuesday hearing in Kancheepuram district, a Samsung counsel said that the union was preventing willing workers from joining work, adding that the dispute should be resolved through mediation directly with the workers.
On the other hand, the union’s lawyer said management was not agreeing to workers’ demands. Judge A. Saravanakumar asked the workers and Samsung management to resolve the issue soon.
Samsung has filed a lawsuit against senior officials of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which has rallied the company’s workers.
Samsung is reluctant to recognise any union affiliated with a national labor group, and discussions with employees and state officials have failed to produce a resolution.
More than 100 protesters were detained by the police briefly as they were planning a march without permit on Monday. The strike adds to Samsung’s challenges in India.
The electronic giant is planning a 30 per cent job cut in its overseas staff including India. According to a Reuters report, India’s antitrust body has found Samsung and other smartphone companies colluded with e-commerce giants to launch devices exclusively, violating competition laws.
More than 1,000 employees out of 1,800 have been on a strike at the Samsung plant. The factory makes appliances such as refrigerators, TVs and washing machines.
The September 12 lawsuit, urged district court in the state for a temporary order to restrain the union and its members from agitating, sloganeering and making speeches in and around the factory located near Chennai, according to news agency Reuters.
Since September 9, hundreds of Samsung workers have been protesting in a makeshift tent and have disrupted work, demanding higher wages and recognition of a union at the plant that contributes roughly a third of Samsung’s annual India revenue of $12 billion.
The workers are earning 25,000 rupees ($300) on average per month, CITU says, and they are demanding a raise of 36,000 rupees ($430) over three years.
In the Samsung’s 14-page confidential court filing, it said that the union’s actions “could disrupt the factory’s operations and prevent willing employees from fulfilling their duties”. Such activities “are likely to escalate, endangering the smooth functioning of the factory and the safety of its employees,” Samsung said.
During a Tuesday hearing in Kancheepuram district, a Samsung counsel said that the union was preventing willing workers from joining work, adding that the dispute should be resolved through mediation directly with the workers.
On the other hand, the union’s lawyer said management was not agreeing to workers’ demands. Judge A. Saravanakumar asked the workers and Samsung management to resolve the issue soon.
Samsung has filed a lawsuit against senior officials of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which has rallied the company’s workers.
Samsung is reluctant to recognise any union affiliated with a national labor group, and discussions with employees and state officials have failed to produce a resolution.
More than 100 protesters were detained by the police briefly as they were planning a march without permit on Monday. The strike adds to Samsung’s challenges in India.
The electronic giant is planning a 30 per cent job cut in its overseas staff including India. According to a Reuters report, India’s antitrust body has found Samsung and other smartphone companies colluded with e-commerce giants to launch devices exclusively, violating competition laws.
More than 1,000 employees out of 1,800 have been on a strike at the Samsung plant. The factory makes appliances such as refrigerators, TVs and washing machines.
