Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased salaries demonstrated in a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the ongoing strike’s third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This protest followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous attempt to negotiate failed to yield the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this action is noted as the largest strike in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a staggering increase of over 1,450% in its second-quarter revenue year-over-year, driven largely by advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, NSEU has indicated that workers have not seen corresponding salary increases despite the company’s record profits.
Many of the striking employees are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts note that Samsung’s historical stance toward unions has been contentious, and the company has little experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, commented that if Samsung workers succeed in their endeavors, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.