Samsung employees demanding improved working conditions and higher wages organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their protest against the company.
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 negotiations between the union and Samsung, which took place last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements their members seek.
Despite the union representing over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this action is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a staggering 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen wage increases despite these impressive earnings.
Many striking workers are employed in Samsung’s foundry, known for producing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips, according to AFP.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could bolster labor movements across South Korea.