Students Protest in High Street for Samsung Union Rights

Published on: 1 Nov, 2018
Updated on: 2 Nov, 2018

Student protesters outside the Carphone Warehouse shop in Guildford High Street yesterday

Students from the University of Surrey protested yesterday (October 31) outside the Carphone Warehouse shop in Guildford High Street, calling for electronics company Samsung to end its “no-union” policy.

The protesters claimed the policy prevents workers in its factories from forming, joining or organising within trade unions and that, according to the International Trade Union Confederation, Samsung has engaged in union busting through sacking union members, threatening migrant workers with deportation and locking union members out of factories.

Protest organiser, Lucy Auger said: “Workers’ access to trade unions is a fundamental human right, and is absolutely vital for them to negotiate for fairer pay and working conditions. Samsung’s no-union policy denies workers that right.”

“Students up and down the country are standing in solidarity with workers having their rights abused. They won’t stand for their phones and computers being made in unacceptable conditions.”

One student taking part in the protests said: “Among high street brands, there’s small choice in rotten apples. It’s time that electronics companies like Samsung started caring about the people who make their goods, as well as listening to the people who buy them.”

A spokesperson for Samsung said: “Samsung Electronics recognises that the success of our business comes from the success of our people. We take the matter of protecting and promoting employees’ rights seriously and respect union activities under laws and regulations.”

Students from universities including University of Bath, Loughborough University, University of Cardiff and University of Southampton were also expected to take part in the protests organised by campaign group People & Planet.