Workers at a Samsung factory in Chennai, India, have gone on strike to demand higher wages, which has caused a significant impact on production. The Indian government has been called on to intervene and help resolve the situation. In a similar incident in Kenya, airport workers are also protesting a deal with Adani Group, leading to flight disruptions. Similarly, in the USA, Boeing workers are threatening to go on strike if their wages are not increased, which could jeopardize the production of 737 Max airplanes. However, there is a glimmer of hope as port workers in the US have reached an agreement with their unions, and a strike has been postponed for now.
In a major blow to Samsung's production, the workers at their Chennai plant in Tamil Nadu have been on strike since early September over wage demands. The strike has not only affected the company's operations, but also major ports and exporters in the region. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has demanded government intervention while the company demands a return to work. In related news, Boeing workers vote on a strike which may disrupt production of their 737 Max planes, while Vivanta announces plans to expand their hotel chain to Hosur, Tamil Nadu.
Samsung Electronics' employees in Sriperumbudur, Chennai have been on strike for the past 16 days, with the protest led by Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu). The company, however, issued a statement claiming that they prioritize the welfare of their workers and pay 1.8 times above the average salary in the region for full-time manufacturing workers. This is in contrast to the workers' claim that the average salary at Samsung is around Rs. 20,000-25,000 per month, while an industry body reports the average salary in the region to be around Rs. 16,000.
Amid negotiations for a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), Britannia Industries Ltd's Taratala factory in Kolkata has been at the center of a production halt lasting over 20 days. While the spokesperson from the company asserts that business operations will not be affected, senior CITU leader Gautam Ray refutes these claims, reporting that all permanent employees have accepted VRS and negotiations are ongoing for contractual workers. This situation has sparked rumors of a potential shutdown of this unit, raising concerns for the workers and the company.