Samsung employees protesting for improved working conditions and increased wages held a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike against the company.
Around 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 negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung, which took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout failed to achieve the workplace improvements its members seek.
While the union claims to represent over 30,000 employees, the exact number involved in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this current strike is noted to be the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in second-quarter revenue, projecting growth of over 1,450% year-over-year due to a surge in AI-related activities. Additionally, the company recorded a tenfold rise in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU argues that workers have yet to see corresponding increases in their wages despite the substantial company profits.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips are manufactured.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being unsupportive of union activities and lacks extensive experience in employee negotiations.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, noted that a successful outcome for Samsung workers could significantly empower the broader labor movement across South Korea.