Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages held a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their action against the company as it enters its third week.
Approximately 1,200 workers from the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports.
This protest follows initial wage negotiation talks between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday. The NSEU had previously announced an indefinite strike starting on July 8 after earlier attempts to secure workplace improvements did not succeed.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are currently participating in the indefinite strike. However, the ongoing action is noted as the largest in the technology firm’s history.
Samsung anticipates a substantial increase in its second-quarter revenue, projected to rise by more than 1,450% year-over-year, largely driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Nevertheless, the NSEU asserts that the workers have not seen corresponding increases in pay despite these record profits.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the most sophisticated computer chips globally.
Experts have noted that Samsung has a reputation for being adversarial towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, commented that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could serve as a source of empowerment for labor movements across South Korea.