Samsung is being hammered by Apple, Vivo and LG. Can it strike back?

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi/Chennai: “After 13 years of service, I still earn ₹27,000 per month. Another worker with the same experience earns ₹36,000.

There is no proper appraisal—favouritism is rampant," said one worker. “For 17 years, we silently put up with all the problems. Enough is enough," says another.

The duo, whose names are not being revealed on request, are among hundreds of striking Samsung India workers huddled in an open field two kilometres from the company’s Sriperumbudur factory, all clad in their factory-wear: light blue shirts and dark blue trousers. Until 9 September, they had been busy churning out an air-conditioner, a refrigerator or a television every 10 seconds or so. Not anymore.

Fed up with low wages, the workers have joined hands with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), a labour union affiliated with the Left parties, to fight for their rights. Talks between the management and the workers, facilitated by the Tamil Nadu government, haven’t progressed. The protest, now in its second week, shows no signs of abating.

Consequently, production at the Sriperumbudur facility, which accounts for almost 30% of Samsung’s annual revenue, has been badly impacted. The tell-tale sign is the idle trucks in the yard. “We want a quick end to this protest.

We have three demands: recognize the Samsung India Workers Union (affiliated to CITU), to permit collective bargaining; increase wages; and improve working conditions," says E. Muthukumar, president, Samsung India Workers Union and state secretary, CITU. The Korean company has so far refrained from recognizing the politically affiliated union.