Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages staged a large 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 a march at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU workers declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after earlier walkout efforts did not yield the desired negotiations for workplace improvements. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are currently on indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this strike is the largest in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of over 1,450% year-over-year, fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first three months of 2024. However, the NSEU contends that workers have not benefited from these record profits.
Many striking workers are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, which produce some of the most advanced computer chips globally, as noted by AFP.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unionization and lacks experience in labor negotiations. Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, emphasized that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could strengthen labor movements throughout South Korea.