Samsung plant protests: 600 workers, union members detained by Tamil Nadu police
Chennai: Tamil Nadu police has reportedly detained around 600 Samsung Electronics workers and union members on Tuesday for organising a street protest, as a strike at the South Korean firm's home appliances plant in Tamil Nadu entered its fourth week.
Charles Sam Rajadurai, a senior state police official, told Reuters that Samsung employees and workers linked to labour group CITU, which is leading the protest, were detained because their march near Chennai was causing public inconvenience.
More than 1,000 workers have disrupted operations and protested in a makeshift tent near the factory close to capital city since September 9, 2024. They are demanding higher wages and union recognition at the plant, which accounts for roughly a third of Samsung's annual revenue in India, totaling $12 billion, the news agency noted.
Police had detained 104 striking Samsung workers on September 16, 2024 for almost a day.
The report added that the protests cast a shadow over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drive for foreign investors to "Make in India" and is India's biggest such strike in recent years. Samsung has warned that the striking workers risk losing their jobs.
Samsung earlier highlighted that the the average monthly salary of full-time manufacturing workers at the plant is nearly double that of similar workers in the region, and stated that it was open to engaging with employees to resolve the issue.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Caste census will form basis for future policy decision, says CM Siddaramaiah
Mysuru (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that the ongoing caste census would form the basis for future policy decisions, asserting that the exercise was crucial to advancing social justice in the state.
Addressing a gathering at the Siddarameshwara Jayanti celebrations here, he said caste enumeration was being carried out for the first time since 1931 and would be followed by deliberations once the report is submitted.
"At present, a caste census (Jaati Sameekshe) is underway. After the report comes, we will discuss it and take necessary decisions," Siddaramaiah said.
He underlined the government’s commitment to equality, stating, "We are committed to social justice. No one should face injustice. Even if not 100 per cent, we will strive to ensure 99 per cent justice."
Referring to measures aimed at addressing intra-caste disparities, the chief minister said the government had already implemented internal reservation based on revised classifications.
"We have gone beyond the Nagamohan Das report and implemented internal reservation… now it has been revised to 5.25 per cent, 5.25 per cent, and 4.5 per cent. This has been approved by the Cabinet," he said.
Siddaramaiah said the broader objective was to ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, while reiterating that policy interventions would be guided by constitutional principles.
"Our objective is equal share and equal life for all," he said.
He also emphasised the role of education in eliminating inequalities, particularly among marginalised communities, and said empowerment was essential to dismantle entrenched caste hierarchies.
"Only when people gain such empowerment can caste divisions be eradicated. Education is essential for this," he added.
The CM said the government would examine demands raised by various communities and take decisions based on feasibility, while ensuring that benefits reached all sections without discrimination.
