Employees at Samsung are currently engaged in a strike for improved working conditions and higher wages, holding a significant rally 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 a rally and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, 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 workers had declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the desired improvements for their workplace.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this current strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a dramatic increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, fueled by a surge in AI-related demands. The company has also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first three months of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding pay increases despite the record profits.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts note that Samsung has a challenging relationship with unions and lacks significant experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, commented that if Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could inspire labor movements throughout South Korea.