Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and better wages held a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration follows initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung on Friday, as reported by Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union encompasses over 30,000 employees, the exact number currently on indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% year-over-year increase in revenue for the second quarter, driven primarily by the surge in artificial intelligence technology. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold profit increase for the first quarter of 2024. Despite these record financial gains, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding pay increases.
A significant number of the striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry, where some of the most advanced computer chips globally are produced, according to AFP.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to union influence and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could bolster labor movements across South Korea.