Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages gathered for a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike against the company.
Around 1,200 members from the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) demonstrated and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, according to reports.
The rally followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung held on Friday, as stated by Bloomberg.
NSEU workers launched an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements that its members are seeking.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, it is noted as the largest strike in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a remarkable increase of more than 1,450% in its second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven by growth in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Despite these financial successes, the NSEU asserts that workers have not seen corresponding pay increases.
Many of the striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where they produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being hostile towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, commented that if Samsung workers succeed in their current efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.