Samsung employees striking for better working conditions and higher pay held 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 for the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. However, this ongoing strike is noted to be the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a dramatic rise in its second-quarter revenue, projected to increase by more than 1,450% year-over-year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. Nevertheless, the NSEU argues that employees are not experiencing equivalent raises despite these record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, responsible for manufacturing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a poor track record with unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that success for Samsung workers in this strike could inspire other labor movements across South Korea.