Samsung employees are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and better pay, having organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday as their protest enters its third week. Around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, signaling a growing commitment to their cause.
The rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions held between the union and Samsung, as reported on Friday. The NSEU had announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not lead to the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the precise number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this ongoing protest is already being recognized as the largest in the company’s history.
Despite Samsung’s impressive financial growth, including a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue year-over-year attributed to the AI boom, workers claim they have not seen a corresponding rise in their pay. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first three months of 2024. Many of those on strike are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, which produce highly advanced computer chips.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being hostile to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. There is a growing belief that if the striking workers succeed, it could serve as a catalyst for broader labor empowerment across South Korea, as emphasized by Vladimir Tikhonov, a Korean studies professor at the University of Oslo.
In summary, as Samsung faces significant negative public sentiment due to employee dissatisfaction, the outcome of this strike could not only reshape the company’s approach to labor relations but also inspire similar movements across other sectors in South Korea. Such a change would signify a hopeful shift towards better working conditions and fair compensation for employees, highlighting the importance of collective bargaining in modern workplaces.