Samsung employees demanding improved working conditions and higher wages organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their protests for the third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched through the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The union announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements. While the NSEU represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this strike is recognized as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Despite Samsung’s forecast of a 1,450% revenue increase year-over-year for the second quarter, primarily driven by an AI boom, and a tenfold profit surge in the first quarter of 2024, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen significant pay increases in light of the company’s record earnings.
Many striking workers are employed in Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are produced. Additionally, experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, commented that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could serve as a significant boost for the labor movement in South Korea.