Samsung employees fighting for improved working conditions and higher wages held a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, as their strike against the company extends into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered for the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not result in the desired workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this strike represents the largest labor action in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung’s expectations of more than a 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue due to a surge in AI technology, along with a tenfold rise in profits for the first quarter of 2024, the union claims that workers have not received pay raises reflecting the company’s record financial success.
Many of the striking employees are involved in the production of advanced computer chips at Samsung’s foundry.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being hostile to union activities and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, stated that if Samsung workers achieve success in their efforts, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.