Employees of Samsung Electronics are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher pay, holding a significant rally in South Korea on Monday. This action marks the third week of their protest.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The strike, which began on July 8, was announced as an indefinite action after earlier attempts to secure workplace improvements did not succeed. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it is unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Notably, this strike is recorded as the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung has anticipated a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year due to a boom in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU emphasizes that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their pay despite these record profits.
Many of the striking employees are engaged in the foundry operations, contributing to the production of some of the most advanced computer chips globally. Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly toward unions and lacks a history of negotiating effectively with its workforce.
According to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, if the strike succeeds, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.