Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased pay organized a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their strike against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) demonstrated and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions that took place last Friday between the union and Samsung, according to Bloomberg.
On July 8, NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike after a previous walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements for their members.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the ongoing strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this strike is already recognized as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung’s anticipation of a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue, driven by a surge in AI demand, the NSEU noted that workers have not experienced corresponding pay increases, even as the company reported a tenfold profit jump in the first quarter of 2024.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they manufacture some of the most advanced computer chips globally.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung employees achieve success in their efforts, it could empower labor movements throughout South Korea.