The Indian police have apprehended 104 Samsung workers who are striking in the midst of wage protests

Police have detained Samsung workers who are organizing a protest march near the Chennai factory in order to demand increased wages and union recognition.

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing strike at Samsung Electronics’ home appliance plant in southern India, police detained 104 workers on Monday for allegedly plotting an unauthorized protest march.

For the past seven days, the employees have been boycotting work in order to demand increased wages and improved working conditions. This action has resulted in a disruption of production, which is responsible for approximately one-third of Samsung’s annual revenue of $12 billion in India.

As per senior police officer K. Shanmugam, the workers were apprehended due to their intention to march without authorization, which could have resulted in a disturbance in the vicinity.

“It is the primary area that would be completely paralyzed, and the protest would disrupt public order,” he stated.

The police stations were unable to accommodate all of the detained workers, who were transported to a wedding hall while wearing their Samsung uniforms.

A. Jenitan, a union leader of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), verified that E. Muthukumar, one of their senior leaders, was also apprehended.

Workers have been protesting at a makeshift tent near the plant since last week, demanding improved working hours, recognition for the CITU-backed union, and higher wages. The strike commenced last week. Samsung has declined to acknowledge any union that is supported by an external labor organization.

Samsung announced in a statement on Friday that it had commenced discussions with its employees to address the issues as soon as possible. Nevertheless, the organization declined to provide an update regarding the most recent developments.

The detention of the striking workers was a significant escalation of the labor dispute, which could have far-reaching implications for Samsung’s operations in India.