Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased wages organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the demonstration, marching at the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
The rally followed initial discussions regarding wage negotiations between the union and Samsung on Friday, as noted by Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is now the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting over a 1,450% rise year-over-year due to advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU asserts that employees have not seen corresponding pay raises despite the company’s record financial performance.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which produces some of the world’s most advanced computer chips, according to AFP.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly toward unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov, a Korean studies expert at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers achieve success in their efforts, it could empower the broader labor movement in South Korea.