Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased wages held a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered for the demonstration, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions held between the union and Samsung last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout failed to achieve satisfactory workplace improvements for its members. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this current strike is noted as the largest in the company’s history.
Amidst the protests, Samsung anticipates a remarkable surge in its second-quarter revenue, projected to increase by more than 1,450% year-over-year, largely due to a boom in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU highlights that workers have not benefited from these record profits with corresponding pay raises.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, responsible for manufacturing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts indicate that Samsung has a historical reputation for being unsupportive of unions and lacks experience in properly negotiating with its workforce. Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo remarked that if the Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could significantly empower labor movements throughout South Korea.