Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages held a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their protest.
Around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported.
This demonstration follows initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
NSEU workers declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements their members are advocating for.
Although the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. However, this current action is noted as the largest strike in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of over 1,450% year-over-year, driven by advancements in AI. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first three months of 2024. Nevertheless, the NSEU has stated that workers are not receiving corresponding pay raises despite these record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which manufactures some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts noted that Samsung has a history of being antagonistic towards unions and lacks extensive experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, commented that if workers at Samsung succeed in their efforts, it could strengthen the labor movement across South Korea.