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 ongoing strike against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the demonstration, marching through the Giheung campus located in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, as noted by Bloomberg.
The NSEU had proclaimed an indefinite strike beginning July 8, after an earlier walkout did not achieve the workplace advancements sought by its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this current strike is the largest in the history of the tech giant.
Samsung anticipates a staggering increase of over 1,450% in its second-quarter revenue compared to the previous year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence demand. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Despite these significant financial gains, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding pay rises.
Many of the striking employees are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. If Samsung’s workers achieve success in their efforts, it could strengthen labor movements across South Korea, according to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.