Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages organized a significant 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) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the specific number of workers on indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this ongoing strike is recognized as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung’s expectations of a more than 1,450% year-over-year increase in second-quarter revenue, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence, workers have not seen corresponding pay raises. The company also reported a tenfold rise in profits during the first quarter of 2024, contrasting with claims from the NSEU that workers have not benefited from these record earnings.
A significant portion of the striking workers is employed at Samsung’s foundry, which produces some of the world’s most advanced computer chips, as noted by AFP.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being antagonistic toward unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung employees achieve their goals, it could empower the broader labor movement in South Korea.