Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages staged 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) rallied and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members sought.
While the union represents over 30,000 individuals, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this ongoing strike is being recognized as the largest in the technology giant’s history.
Samsung anticipates a more than 1,450% increase in second-quarter revenue compared to the previous year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence demand. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding wage increases despite these record-breaking returns.
Many of those participating in the strike are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts note that Samsung has a longstanding reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and has limited experience in negotiating with its workforce.
“If Samsung workers succeed in this endeavor, it will strengthen the labor movement across South Korea,” remarked Vladimir Tikhonov, professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.