The Left parties including the CPI(M), CPI and CPI (ML) protested against the Tamil Nadu police on Saturday, October 5 near the Rajarathinam stadium in Chennai for “repressing” the strike by Samsung employees. They demanded that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government extend its support to the protesting workers.
Hundreds of Samsung workers have been protesting since September 9 with a set of demands, including recognition for their newly formed union called the Samsung India Thozhilalar Sangam, approval of wage revisions, and formulation of better working hours. On October 5, their protests entered day 27.
As per the police, more than 900 agitating workers have been detained for protesting. Condemning the police’s actions, leaders of the trade union told TOI that the police are being used by Samsung to “repress” the protesters.
The Samsung India Thozhilalar Sangam, affiliated with the CPI(M)’s Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), also moved the Madras High Court on September 30. The union was reportedly not granted registration even 85 days after its application was submitted. The union has said in its petition that registration should have been granted 45 days from the date of application (June 25 in this case), as per the labour laws in the state. The Madras High Court has now given the state government time until mid October to decide on the matter.
Meanwhile, several rounds of talks have failed between the CITU, the state government, and Samsung India in September.