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The ongoing strike by Samsung India workers at Sriperumbudur has taken a new turn with the Centre for Indian Trade Unions (CITU) demanding direct intervention from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin. In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister on October 10, CITU condemned the actions of the state government and police, alleging their actions contradict the Madras High Court's ruling upholding workers' right to peaceful protest. The letter highlighted the police's dismantling of the tents where workers were staging a dharna and the subsequent arrests of CITU national vice president A Soundarajan and president of SIWU (Samsung India Workers Union) E Muthukumar, alongside other workers, despite their peaceful demonstrations.
CITU criticized the police actions, labelling them as “tantamount to indulging the employer company in its arrogant denial of basic rights to the workers while claiming itself above all the laws of the land.” The letter further asserted that denying registration to the SIWU contravenes the provisions of the Trade Union Act and accused Samsung of violating the Industrial Disputes Act by refusing to recognize the union. CITU emphasized that Samsung's refusal to acknowledge the union and engage in discussions with its representatives constitutes a breach of national and international labor laws, specifically citing the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions CO87 (Freedom of Association and Protection of Right to Organize) and CO98 (The Right to Organize & Collective Bargaining).
The CITU's appeal comes amidst pressure from the DMK's allies, the CPI(M) and VCK, who have also called for Stalin's intervention. Both parties have openly criticized the state government's handling of the situation, expressing their disapproval of the actions taken by the police. The workers' strike has been marked by police interventions that have been deemed unlawful by the Madras High Court. On October 9, police arrested eight Samsung workers, including SIWU general secretary P Ellan, in a midnight raid. Subsequently, the Court heard a habeas corpus petition filed by Muthukumar regarding the alleged illegal detention of the eight workers. Although the Court dismissed the petition, it reiterated its earlier order allowing workers to continue their strike peacefully.
The ongoing conflict highlights the complex dynamics at play between labor rights, corporate interests, and the role of the state in mediating these conflicts. The CITU's letter to the Chief Minister and the subsequent demands for his intervention signal the escalating nature of the dispute. The outcome of this situation will have significant implications for the future of labor relations in Tamil Nadu and the broader industrial landscape.
Source: Samsung workers strike: CITU writes to CM Stalin demanding his intervention