Samsung employees demanding improved working conditions and increased pay staged a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike against the company.
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 NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout failed to achieve the desired workplace gains for its members. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this ongoing action is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a significant rise of more than 1,450% in its second-quarter revenue compared to the previous year, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first three months of 2024. In spite of these record financial returns, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding wage increases.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which produces some of the world’s most advanced computer chips, as per AFP’s reporting.
Experts also highlight that Samsung has a history of being resistant to unionization and has limited experience in negotiating with its workforce. Professor Vladimir Tikhonov, specializing in Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.