Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages organized a large 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) participated in the rally, which took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
The protest followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that occurred on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements for its members. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this ongoing strike is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung Electronics anticipating a second-quarter revenue surge of over 1,450% year-over-year attributed to advancements in AI, and reporting a tenfold increase in profits for the first three months of 2024, the NSEU argues that workers have not received corresponding wage increases amid these record earnings.
Many strikers are employed in Samsung’s foundry, which produces some of the most advanced computer chips globally.
Experts note that Samsung has a history of being resistant to unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce. Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, pointed out that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could inspire and empower labor movements across South Korea.