Employees of Samsung have staged a significant rally in South Korea, demanding improved working conditions and higher wages, as their strike enters its third week. Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports.
This rally follows initial wage negotiation talks that took place on Friday between the union and Samsung. The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous attempt to secure better workplace conditions did not yield satisfactory results.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a staggering rise of more than 1,450% in its second-quarter revenue compared to the previous year, largely attributed to a surge in demand for artificial intelligence technology. The company has also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, union representatives argue that workers have not seen a corresponding increase in their pay amidst these record financial results.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Critics highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Experts believe that if Samsung workers achieve their goals, it could inspire broader labor movements across South Korea.