Employees of Samsung Electronics are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and increased pay, holding a significant rally in South Korea on Monday as they enter the third week of their protest.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea. This event followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday.
The indefinite strike was officially announced by NSEU on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not result in the desired workplace improvements for its members. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number of those participating in the indefinite strike is unclear. Nevertheless, this current action marks the largest strike in the company’s history.
Samsung is anticipating a more than 1,450% rise in second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven by a boom in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU contends that workers have not seen corresponding increases in pay despite the company’s record profits.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the most advanced computer chips globally. According to experts, Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could bolster the power of labor movements across South Korea.