Samsung employees demanding improved working conditions and higher wages gathered for a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking three weeks of action 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 held last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this is the largest strike in the company’s history.
Despite an expected 1,450% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue due to a surge in artificial intelligence, along with a tenfold profit increase in the first three months of 2024, the union claims that workers have not seen corresponding pay raises.
The striking employees are largely from Samsung’s foundry, where advanced computer chips are manufactured, as reported by AFP.
Experts note that Samsung has a history of being antagonistic toward unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that a successful outcome for Samsung workers could empower labor movements throughout South Korea.