The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) backed Samsung India Workers’ Union (SIWU) is set to officially call off its strike at Samsung’s Sriperumbudur plant following extensive conciliation talks facilitated by the Tamil Nadu government.

The strike, which began on 9 September 2024, saw employees demanding better wages, reduced working hours, and formal recognition of their union.

The Tamil Nadu government, under the direction of Chief Minister MK Stalin, took swift action to mediate the dispute. Senior ministers, including those from Labour Welfare, Micro Small and Medium Enterprises, and Industries, conducted several rounds of meetings with Samsung’s management and labour union representatives.

On October 15, final talks were held before Labour Welfare officials, resulting in an agreement that has led to the workers agreeing to call off their strike and resume work. Key resolutions from the discussions include:

1. All striking workers will return to work immediately.
2. No worker will face punitive action for participating in the strike.
3. Workers are required to cooperate fully with management and avoid any actions that could harm the company’s interests.
4. Samsung’s management has committed to providing a written response to the workers’ charter of demands, which will be reviewed by a conciliation officer.

Also read: Samsung strike: Seven workers held and released later for obstructing cops during protest
The Tamil Nadu government confirmed that both parties have accepted the terms. This marks the end of a strike that lasted over a month, bringing relief to the workforce and ensuring that production at the plant can resume in full force.

“Heartfelt thanks to our honourable chief minister, MK Stalin, and ministers EV Velu, T Anbarasan and CV Ganesan for their support in finding a solution,” tweeted state industries minister TRB Rajaa on the end of the 5-week stand-off between Samsung and its employees. “Special thanks to our Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for his valuable guidance,” he added.

Samsung welcomed the development.

“Samsung India welcomes CITU’s decision to call off the illegal strike. We thank the government of Tamil Nadu for its support and welcome our workers who have decided to return to work unconditionally. We will not take action against workers who merely participated in the illegal strike. We are committed to work closely with our workers to make the Chennai factory a great place to work,” a spokesperson said.

A week ago, Samsung made initial advances in its attempt to placate striking employees. In an agreement inked with an unnamed “Workmen Committee”, the company committed to an across-the-board wage-hike of Rs 5,000 per month, in addition to paternity leave, cash rewards, better on-site facilities and a life insurance scheme.

However, the CITU-backed Samsung India Workers Union, holding firm to its demand of being a recognized union, refused to call off the strike until Samsung acceded to this specific demand. The company has, till date, refused to recognize SIWU.

A section of employees on strike, though, returned to work after Samsung’s agreement, while the majority continued its protest. With the CITU-backed union opting to call off its strike and return to work today, the 5-week standoff between Samsung and its factory workers in Sriperumbudur may have ended, even if only for the moment.