Executives at Samsung India Electronics have agreed to negotiate directly with striking workers at their Tamil Nadu plant from the beginning of September, reported ag. Press Trust of India.
"We strive to resolve all matters, including wages, benefits and working conditions, through direct negotiations with our employees. We call on the strikers to return to work," the agency quoted a company representative as saying. According to him, Samsung India Electronics has informed the Tamil Nadu government of the decision to negotiate with the strikers, which is demanding an early end to the strike.
Last week, the striking workers went on a one-day hunger strike to force the Tamil Nadu authorities to intervene and quickly resolve the issue of wage hikes and reduced working hours. The hunger strike was supported by the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which said the workers' strike would continue until their demands were fully met.
Strike at the plant of the Indian "subsidiary" Samsung in Sriperumbudur launched on 9th September. 1,100 of the company's 1,750 employees are participating. They are demanding an increase in wages from 25,000 Indian rupees (about 300 USD) to 36,000 per month, improved working conditions and reduced working hours.