Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and enhanced pay organized a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike against the tech giant into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The union workers declared an indefinite strike on July 8, after a previous short-term walkout did not secure the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the NSEU represents over 30,000 employees, it is unclear how many are currently participating in the indefinite strike. Regardless, this strike is already noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Amid this labor unrest, Samsung is projecting an impressive second-quarter revenue increase of over 1,450% year-over-year, driven by the booming AI sector. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU highlights that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their wages despite these record financial results.
Many of the striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where they produce some of the most advanced computer chips globally, as reported by AFP.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly toward union activities and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, noted that if Samsung employees succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements throughout the rest of South Korea.