Samsung India Electronics has claimed that a workersâ strike, organized by a trade union affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), resulted in a revenue loss of $100 million. Samsung India Electronics has claimed that a workersâ strike, organized by a trade union affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), resulted in a revenue loss of $100 million. The company’s statement was made during a hearing before Justice RN Manjula at the Madras High Court, where a petition was filed by P. Ellan, General Secretary of Samsung India Thozhilalar Sangam, seeking the registration of the union by the Labour Department.Samsung raised objections to the registration of the union, submitting an impleading petition to become a party in the case. Senior counsel NGR Prasad, representing the trade union, opposed this, stating that the registration process was under the jurisdiction of the Registrar of Trade Unions and the Joint Commissioner of the Labour Department. He argued that Samsung had no legal standing to intervene in the petition.
Samsung, however, contended that the protest, which lasted more than 30 days, caused significant financial damage. The company further raised concerns over the union’s affiliation with CITU, a political wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and its potential use of the “Samsung” trademark in the unionâs name.
In response, Prasad pointed out that many unions across various sectors, including Samsungâs own headquarters in South Korea, have been registered with the name of the employer company. He emphasized that the Labour Department had already registered numerous unions that incorporated the employer’s name and referenced Section 16 of the Trade Union Act, which allows trade unions to engage in political activities.
The court has yet to decide on the petition.