Union govt wants swift resolution of Samsung labour row; TN says efforts are on; Samsungs wants to resolve issue directly with workers

CHENNAI:

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin and urged swift resolution of workers' strike at the Sriperumbudur plant of Samsung Electronics, a source said.

The minister has urged the state government to intervene for an early and amicable resolution in order to maintain a positive manufacturing sector ecosystem, the source said. Government sources told The New indian Express that the government is in touch with both the parties and hoping to resolve the issue in a week.

When The New Indian Express contacted a labour department official, he said, "Efforts are being taken through the conciliation process, which is going on."

Meanwhile, Samsung on Wednesday said it is committed to resolving all issues including wages, benefits and working conditions by negotiating with workers directly, and urged them to return back to work at the earliest.

"At Samsung India, the welfare of our employees is our top priority. The average monthly salary of our full-time manufacturing workers at the Chennai plant is 1.8 times the average salary of similar workers employed at other companies in the region. Our workers are also eligible for overtime pay and other allowances and we provide a workplace environment that assures the highest standards of health, safety and welfare, including free shuttle bus and meals," a release stated.
 
"In addition, at our Chennai factory, full-time employees make up the majority of our total workforce, which we believe is the highest level compared with other manufacturers in the region. Moreover, the average tenure of our manufacturing workforce," according to the statement.

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