Samsung employees advocating for enhanced working conditions and increased wages organized a significant rally in South Korea on Monday as their strike against the company enters its third week.
Around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, according to reports.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike starting July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements their members are seeking.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this action is being described as the largest strike in the history of the tech giant.
In the midst of the strike, Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue compared to the previous year, spurred by a surge in AI technology. The company also noted a tenfold growth in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU contends that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their wages despite these record profits.
Many of the striking employees work at Samsung’s foundry, where advanced computer chips are produced.
Experts have noted that Samsung is often resistant to union activities and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Prof. Vladimir Tikhonov, a Korean studies professor at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their strike efforts, it could bolster labor movements across South Korea.