Workers from Samsung Electronics are striking for improved working conditions and increased pay, and they held a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their protest.
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 press. This gathering followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout failed to achieve the workplace improvements its members are advocating for. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number of those participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this strike is notable for being the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, largely attributed to the AI sector. Furthermore, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that despite these record earnings, workers are not seeing corresponding wage increases.
Many of the striking employees are from Samsung’s foundry, where some of the most advanced computer chips globally are manufactured. Experts have noted that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unionization and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
According to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, if Samsung workers are successful in their endeavors, it could empower other labor movements throughout South Korea.