Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages rallied in South Korea on Monday, continuing their strike into its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the event, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin. This demonstration followed recent discussions between the union and Samsung regarding wage negotiations that took place on Friday.
The workers initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after previous attempts to secure workplace enhancements did not yield the desired results. While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number of those participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this strike marks the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung anticipates a staggering increase in second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, fueled by the AI industry boom. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first three months of 2024. However, the NSEU contends that employees have not received corresponding pay raises despite the record financial returns.
Many of the striking workers 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 hostile towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, remarked that if Samsung workers succeed in their current efforts, it could empower other labor movements across South Korea.