Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages gathered for a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the ongoing strike into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, which took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. The demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that occurred on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8, after an earlier walkout did not yield the workplace improvements its members are seeking. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains uncertain how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung is anticipating a more than 1,450% increase in its second-quarter revenue compared to the previous year, driven largely by the advancements in artificial intelligence. The company has also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU has indicated that employees are not benefiting from this financial success through wage increases.
Many strikers work at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the most advanced computer chips in the world are manufactured. Observers note that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and lacks significant experience in negotiations with its workforce.
Experts suggest that if Samsung employees achieve success in their strike, it could empower labor movements across South Korea, as indicated by Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.