Chennai: Samsung India employees union on Friday withdrew its protest against the company after the latter agreed to allow them to rejoin work, thus ending the slew of protests, demonstrations. The company in a notice, posted outside its facility at Sunguvarchatram, said it would allow them back to work starting Saturday.
However, it did not allow the 23 employees, who were suspended, to return to work. The company said these workers, pending enquiry, will undergo disciplinary action proceedings.
Samsung spokesperson said the company hopes to resolve outstanding issues directly with its workers. “Samsung welcomes workers’ decision to call off the illegal strike and resume their duties at the Chennai plant. The company’s initiative to welcome back striking workers and its proactive engagement have facilitated their return, effectively ending the strike. We remain committed to enforcing discipline in the premises and resolving outstanding issues directly with our workers to maintain a positive work environment,” it said.
The union demanded reinstatement of suspended workers and opposed salary deductions for protestors but has compromised by agreeing to return to work without resolving these issues. “Samsung has agreed to pay the salaries of the workers starting Friday. We are willing to cooperate to resolve the issue if they are ready. We are even ready to work overtime considering the current situation,” E Muthukumar, head of the Samsung employees union, told TOI.
