Samsung Electronics will invest 10 billion rupees ($117.09 million) in its southern India facility, according to an announcement by T. R. B. Rajaa, the state minister for industries, investment promotion, and commerce.
This investment comes after the plant, located near Chennai, faced worker protests earlier this year following employee suspensions. In February, workers staged a sit-in, marking the second major labor dispute in less than six months at the plant.
The facility, which manufactures refrigerators, televisions, and washing machines, accounted for a significant portion of Samsung’s $12 billion sales in India during 2022-23. In September of the previous year, hundreds of workers went on strike for five weeks, demanding higher wages and union recognition.
Samsung eventually agreed to address some of the workers’ demands.
As part of its new investment, Samsung will add 100 more jobs to the plant, reinforcing the company’s confidence in the labor force of Tamil Nadu state. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between the workers’ union and Samsung, with accusations of union-busting tactics, although the company insists that it complies with all applicable laws.
The plant currently employs over 2,000 people.
