Employees of Samsung Electronics have been staging a large rally in South Korea, demanding better working conditions and higher wages as their strike extends into its third week. Approximately 1,200 workers from the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the demonstration at the Giheung campus in Yongin.
The union’s action comes after initial wage negotiations with Samsung took place on the previous Friday. On July 8, the union announced an indefinite strike following an unsuccessful earlier walkout aimed at securing better workplace conditions. While the NSEU represents over 30,000 workers, the specific number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. However, this ongoing strike is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung’s impressive financial performance, with a projected revenue increase of over 1,450% year-over-year driven by an AI boom and reporting a ten-fold profit growth in the first quarter of 2024, workers argue that these gains are not reflected in their paychecks. Many of the strikers are employed in Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips are manufactured.
Experts indicate that Samsung has historically been resistant to unionization and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo suggested that if Samsung workers succeed in their current efforts, it could significantly empower labor movements throughout South Korea.
This situation highlights the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices in rapidly growing industries, and it emphasizes the importance of dialogue between employers and workers. Positive change could result not only for Samsung’s employees but potentially serve as an inspiring example for labor rights in other sectors as well.
In summary, workers at Samsung Electronics continue to advocate for better pay and conditions amidst significant company profits, marking a pivotal moment in South Korea’s labor landscape.