Samsung employees striking for better working conditions and higher wages organized a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their protest into its third week.
Around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) took part in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, 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 announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not yield the workplace improvements its members are demanding.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many have joined the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this strike is being regarded as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers are not receiving pay raises in line with these record financial results.
Many strikers are employed in Samsung’s foundry, where advanced computer chips are manufactured, according to AFP.
Experts note that Samsung has a history of being adversarial towards labor 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 succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.