Samsung employees advocating for enhanced working conditions and increased wages conducted a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their actions against the company into a third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place the previous Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout failed to secure the workplace improvements sought by its members. While the union claims to represent over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are engaged in the indefinite strike. However, this action is noted as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite projections of more than a 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue, attributed to a surge in artificial intelligence advancements, and a tenfold profit increase reported for the first quarter of 2024, the NSEU contends that employees have not seen corresponding pay increases amid these record profits.
A significant number of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the most advanced computer chips globally are produced. Additionally, experts highlight Samsung’s historically adversarial stance towards unions and its lack of experience in negotiating with employees.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could strengthen the labor movement across South Korea.