India requests Tamil Nadu to address Samsung workers’ strike, government source reports

By Shivangi Acharya

NEW DELHI – India’s federal labour minister has urged the southern state of Tamil Nadu to address a prolonged strike by workers at Samsung Electronics, according to a government source on Wednesday.

The protests, which represent the largest labor unrest in India in recent years, are occurring at the South Korean company’s facility near Chennai. More than 1,000 of the 1,800 employees are demanding higher wages and recognition of their union, leading to significant disruptions in operations.

In a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has called for state intervention to achieve an "early and amicable" resolution. The source, who requested anonymity as the letter has not been made public, stated that the content could not be independently verified.

Requests for comments from Samsung and the Tamil Nadu government have not yet received a response.

This labour unrest, which began on September 9, poses a challenge to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to attract foreign investment in manufacturing and to significantly increase electronics production to $500 billion over the next six years. The Tamil Nadu plant generates roughly one-third of Samsung’s $12 billion annual revenue in India.

Samsung has defended its wage structure, stating that its employees in Tamil Nadu earn nearly twice what workers receive at other local companies. The company’s HR team has also communicated with some striking employees, cautioning them about potential pay deductions for any days not worked.