Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages organized a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike.
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 various sources.
The protest followed preliminary wage negotiation discussions that took place on Friday between the union and Samsung.
The NSEU members declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout failed to achieve the workplace improvements its members seek. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is now recognized as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a substantial increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of over 1,450% year-over-year due to a surge in AI-related developments. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU argues that employees have not seen corresponding increases in their salaries despite these impressive financial results.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the most advanced computer chips globally are produced.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to union activity and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce. A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, remarked that if Samsung employees are successful in their efforts, it could inspire and empower labor movements throughout South Korea.