Employees of Samsung are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages, holding a significant rally in South Korea on Monday as their protests enter a third week.
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 demonstration follows recent discussions between the union and Samsung regarding wage negotiations that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements for its members. Although the union represents over 30,000 workers, it is unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike, which marks the largest labor action in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung anticipating a substantial second-quarter revenue increase of over 1,450% year-over-year due to the AI boom and a tenfold profit surge for the first quarter of 2024, the NSEU has voiced concerns that workers have not received corresponding pay increases.
Many striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where some of the most advanced computer chips are manufactured, according to AFP.
Experts also highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly toward unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo noted that if Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could significantly empower labor movements across South Korea.