Employees of Samsung Electronics, advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages, gathered for 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 event, marching through the Giheung campus located in Yongin, according to reports. This rally followed initial wage negotiation talks held on Friday between the union and Samsung.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not secure the workplace improvements its members are seeking. While the union claims to represent over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this ongoing action is recognized as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung is projected to experience a monumental increase in second-quarter revenue, expected to rise more than 1,450% year-over-year, primarily driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Despite these significant financial gains, the NSEU argues that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their wages.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundries, which are known for producing some of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips. Experts also note that Samsung has a reputation for being antagonistic toward unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
A professor specializing in Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, highlighted that a successful strike by Samsung workers could empower the broader labor movement across South Korea.