Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages staged a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their protest against the company.
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 followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung conducted on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not yield the workplace improvements its members are advocating for.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it is currently unclear how many are taking part in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this ongoing action is the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a substantial increase in second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of over 1,450% year-on-year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU argues that workers have not benefited from these record earnings.
A significant number of those striking are employed at Samsung’s foundry, known for manufacturing some of the most advanced computer chips globally, as noted by AFP.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unionization and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung employees succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.