Employees of Samsung are striking for improved working conditions and increased pay, holding a significant rally in South Korea on Monday as their protest enters its third week.
Around 1,200 workers from the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This rally follows initial wage negotiation talks between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not result in the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this protest is noted to be the largest in the history of the technology company.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of over 1,450% year-over-year, fueled by an AI boom. They also reported a tenfold profit increase for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU asserts that workers are not seeing corresponding wage increases despite these record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which is responsible for manufacturing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips, as noted by AFP.
Experts point out that Samsung is traditionally resistant to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workers.
“If Samsung workers succeed in this endeavor, it will strengthen the labor movement throughout South Korea,” stated Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, in comments to AFP.