Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and increased pay 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) 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, which took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU workers commenced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements they sought.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains uncertain how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this ongoing strike represents the largest in the technology giant’s history.
Samsung anticipates a year-over-year revenue increase of over 1,450% for the second quarter, driven by a surge in AI-related business. Furthermore, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU argued that workers have not received corresponding pay increases despite these record financial results.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which manufactures some of the most advanced computer chips globally, AFP noted.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a reputation for being adversarial towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
“If Samsung workers succeed in this endeavor, it will empower the rest of South Korea’s labor force,” said Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, as reported by AFP.