Employees of Samsung Electronics, advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages, organized a substantial rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike, which is now in its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the protest, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports. This demonstration follows initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not result in the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number of those involved in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this current strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a staggering boost in its second-quarter revenue, expected to surge more than 1,450% year-over-year, largely due to advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. In contrast, the NSEU claims that workers have not experienced corresponding pay increases despite these record financial outcomes.
Many striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips. Experts explain that Samsung has a history of being resistant to union activities and lacks experience in negotiations with its workforce.
Should the Samsung workers achieve their goals in this endeavor, it may empower labor movements across South Korea, as noted by Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.