Samsung India has offered an increase in salary starting this financial year to its employees working at its Sriperumbudur factory. But, employees associated with the recently registered Samsung India Thozhilalargal Sangam declined to accept the offer, according to sources.
Samsung offered a three year wage agreement to all its 1,900 employees starting from April 2025 till March 2028. For example, a person who was earning monthly ₹37,476 will earn ₹47,475 in 2025-26; ₹52,475 in 2026-27 and ₹57,457 in 2027-28. The company also offered various benefits, including marriage leave, paternity leave and bereavement leave, according to the agreement, which was dated March 1 and valid till March 31.
Declined to sign
Nearly 1,500 employees belonging to the Sangam declined to sign the agreement. This was also conveyed at a Sangam meeting held on Sunday, said a worker who is part of the Sangam.
“They want us to be like the internal, administrative-backed committee, which has nearly 400 workers as members and signed the agreement. But, we don’t want to be like them,” said a worker, who is part of the Sangam.
Over 1,000 workers were on a protest for a month over suspension of 23 workers belonging to the Sangam. It was called off on March 7.
‘Slave’ agreement form
E Muthukumar, leader of CITU, which is backing the Sangam, in a social media post said the union will never allow Samsung workers to be trapped in this ‘slave’ agreement form.
A spokesperson for Samsung India said, “At Samsung, employee well-being is our top priority. We are actively working towards a fair agreement with our workers to further improve wages and benefits, and it is entirely voluntary for each worker. It is noteworthy that even currently, the average monthly salary of our full-time manufacturing workers at the Chennai plant is nearly double that of other similar workers in the region. We treat all workers at our Chennai factory with fairness and respect, and we categorically reject any misleading claims to the contrary. Our commitment to creating a supportive workplace and industrial peace remains unwavering.”
