Samsung employees demanding better working conditions and higher salaries organized a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their protest against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU had declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members seek.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. This action, however, is noted as the largest strike in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a substantial increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year due to a boom in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold surge in profits for the initial quarter of 2024. Nevertheless, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their pay despite the company’s significant returns.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, known for producing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts point out that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly toward unions and lacks experience in negotiations with its workforce.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov, a Korean studies expert from the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.