Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages gathered for a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, as their strike against the company reaches its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) marched along the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU had declared an indefinite strike starting July 8 after a previous walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many have joined the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven by a surge in AI demand, and has reported a tenfold profit increase for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU argues that employees have not seen corresponding pay raises despite these record profits.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which is responsible for producing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Additionally, experts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower the broader labor movement in South Korea.