<p>The protest that started on Wednesday affected production at the Chennai plant. <o:p></o:p> Photo: PTI</p>

CHENNAI: Employees of the Samsung Electronics India’s Chennai plant protested for the third consecutive day on Friday, demanding that the company revoke the suspension of three employees. The protest that started on Wednesday affected production at the facility.
Workers’ trade union, Samsung India Thozhilalar Sangam, which was recently formed after month-long protests last year and legal actions, claimed that more than 1,300 employees were participating in the protest.
A company spokesperson said around 500 workers were protesting. “Despite the illegal action by some, most of our workers remain dedicated to ensuring that normal business operations continue,” the spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.
President of the trade union E Muthukumar said employees had been suspended without cause and as a retribution for forming the union. “The protests will continue till the management revokes suspension of three workers, stop weakening the union with an alternative committee and a guarantee to not take action against union members,” he said.
The company maintained that the suspended employees had violated company policy. It called the protests by employees unlawful action.
Samsung India spokesperson said, “The company has filed official complaints with the relevant authorities against certain workers who have violated this policy. They will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action following a formal inquiry and have been suspended to protect the work environment and other workers.”
The electronics company said it would continue efforts for collective agreements with workers and open to a dialogue facilitated by the govt.
State labour department’s conciliatory talks held between the union and the management on Wednesday did not find a solution. Source in the know said officials had appealed to the workers to drop protests and Samsung to revoke the suspension.