Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and higher wages held a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing action against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the demonstration, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, according to reports.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions held between the union and Samsung on Friday. The NSEU had declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout failed to achieve the desired workplace improvements.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the indefinite strike, which is currently the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung projecting a more than 1,450% increase in revenue year-over-year due to a boom in AI, the NSEU has pointed out that employees have not seen corresponding increases in wages despite the company’s record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, known for producing some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being antagonistic toward unions and lacks experience in engaging with its workers in negotiations.
A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, noted that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could significantly empower labor movements across South Korea.