Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages held a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking three weeks of their ongoing action against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
The demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements they seek.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are currently on indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this strike is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates its second-quarter revenue to surge by more than 1,450% year-over-year due to a boom in artificial intelligence. The company has also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not experienced corresponding salary increases despite these record profits.
Many striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured.
Experts point out that Samsung is known for its resistance to unionization and has limited experience in negotiating with its workforce. Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements throughout South Korea.