Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased wages conducted 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) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This rally followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after earlier walkouts did not yield the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this action is noted as the largest in the history of the tech company.
Despite Samsung’s projection of a year-over-year revenue increase of more than 1,450% in the second quarter, attributed to a boom in artificial intelligence, workers have not experienced corresponding raises in their pay, according to the NSEU. The union highlighted that many striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where advanced computer chips are manufactured.
Experts point out that Samsung has a history of being resistant to unions and lacks extensive experience in negotiating with its workers. A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, remarked that if Samsung employees succeed in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.