Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages gathered for a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing protest against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the demonstration, which took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that occurred on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members are advocating for.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number of those currently on indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this action is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a substantial increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of over 1,450% year-over-year, largely attributed to the AI sector’s growth. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU highlighted that workers have not seen corresponding raises in their pay despite the record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundries, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts point out that Samsung has a historically negative reputation regarding unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, noted that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements throughout South Korea.