Police arrest 100 Samsung workers and union leaders for unpermitted protest amid labour disputes

Police have arrested 100 striking Samsung workers and union leaders on Monday as they were planning a march without permission, police officials told Reuters.

The arrests come amid ongoing labour disputes at the company, highlighting escalating tensions between the workers and management.

This detention represents a significant escalation in the ongoing strike at the Samsung home appliance plant near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.


The workers, demanding higher wages, have been on strike for seven days, disrupting production that accounts for roughly one-third of Samsung's $12 billion annual revenue from India, the Reuters report said.

Sankar Ganesh, a senior police official in Kancheepuram district, informed Reuters that the workers were placed under "preventive arrest," but did not provide further details.

Since last week, workers have been protesting at a makeshift tent near the plant, demanding higher wages, recognition for a union supported by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and improved working hours.

A. Jenitan, a CITU union leader, informed Reuters that police have also detained E. Muthukumar, a senior leader who was spearheading the Samsung protests.

"The workers have been instructed to return to the strike tent," he said.