Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday as their protest enters its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) rallied and marched around the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, according to reports.
This event followed initial wage negotiation discussions that took place between the union and Samsung on Friday.
Workers from the NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not yield the desired changes in their workplace conditions.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the specific number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this ongoing strike is noted as the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant rise in its second-quarter revenue, projecting over a 1,450% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first three months of 2024. However, the NSEU has stated that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their pay despite these record profits.
Many striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which produces some of the most advanced computer chips globally.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a history of being resistant to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its employees.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov from the University of Oslo commented that if Samsung workers achieve success in their efforts, it could empower labor movements throughout South Korea.