Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased pay organized a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiations that took place on Friday between the union and Samsung, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements sought by its members.
While the union represents more than 30,000 workers, it remains unclear exactly how many are currently participating in the indefinite strike, which is noted to be the largest in the history of the tech giant.
Samsung is expecting a staggering increase of over 1,450% in its second-quarter revenue year-over-year, primarily driven by a surge in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that employees have not seen corresponding pay increases despite these record profits.
Many striking workers are employed in Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are produced, according to AFP.
Experts also highlight Samsung’s historical resistance to unionization and its limited experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, indicated that a successful outcome for Samsung workers could significantly empower the labor movement across South Korea.