Samsung employees demanding improved working conditions and higher wages staged a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing protest.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports. This demonstration 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 a prior walkout did not result in the workplace improvements sought by its members. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the specific number of those on indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this action is noted as the largest strike in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, driven primarily by a boom in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU argues that employees have not seen corresponding pay increases despite these record earnings.
Many striking workers are employed in Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts have noted that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to union activity and lacks experience in labor negotiations.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo stated that if Samsung workers achieve success in their efforts, it could empower the broader labor movement in South Korea.