Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased wages staged a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing actions against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at 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 last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not yield the workplace improvements that its members sought.
Although the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, driven largely by advancements in AI. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first three months of 2024. However, the NSEU argues that workers have not seen corresponding pay increases despite these record financial results.
Many striking employees are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips, as noted by AFP.
Experts indicate that Samsung has a history of being unfriendly toward unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, emphasized that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it would empower labor movements across South Korea.