Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages held a large rally in South Korea on Monday as their protest against the company enters its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the demonstration, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported.
This rally followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday. The NSEU had announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung has projected a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue year-over-year, fueled by growth in artificial intelligence. It also reported a tenfold increase in profits in the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that employees have not seen pay raises in line with the company’s record profits.
Many striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, which produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. According to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, a successful outcome for Samsung workers could inspire broader labor movements across South Korea.