Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased pay gathered for a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike against the company into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions held between the union and Samsung last Friday, as noted by Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members sought. While the union encompasses over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many have participated in the indefinite strike. However, this strike is being recognized as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a staggering second-quarter revenue increase of over 1,450% year-over-year, primarily driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a ten-fold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. Despite this financial success, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding pay raises.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they manufacture some of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips. Experts point out that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly toward unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its employees.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower the broader labor movement across South Korea.