Employees at Samsung are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages, with a significant rally taking place in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their action.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration occurred following initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU 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 workers, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this strike represents the largest labor action in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung has projected a more than 1,450% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue, driven by a boom in artificial intelligence, and has reported a tenfold increase in profits for early 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding pay raises despite these record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which manufactures some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts note that Samsung has a history of being unfriendly towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers achieve success in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.