Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased wages organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike against the company into 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 event followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout did not achieve the desired workplace improvements for its members. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this action is noted as the most significant strike in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a dramatic increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year due to a surge in artificial intelligence developments. Furthermore, it has reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. Despite these impressive financial results, the NSEU argues that employees are not seeing equivalent increases in their wages.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the most advanced computer chips globally, as highlighted by AFP.
Experts point out that Samsung has a challenging history with unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, mentioned that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could strengthen labor movements across South Korea.