Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages 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) rallied and marched around the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions held between the union and Samsung last Friday.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, the exact number participating in the ongoing strike is unclear. However, this strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology firm.
Samsung anticipates a staggering increase in its second-quarter revenue, projected to rise more than 1,450% year-on-year due to growth in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Nevertheless, the NSEU asserts that its members have not seen commensurate pay increases despite the record financial results.
A significant portion of the striking workforce is employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a history of being unsupportive of unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
If Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could set a powerful precedent for labor movements throughout South Korea, according to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.