Samsung employees on strike for improved working conditions and higher wages held a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their labor action.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions that took place between the union and Samsung on Friday.
The NSEU had initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after a previous walkout failed to achieve the demands of its members for better workplace conditions.
While the union encompasses over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this ongoing strike is being recognized as the largest in the history of the technology giant.
Samsung is anticipating a remarkable rise in its second-quarter revenue, projecting an increase of more than 1,450% year-over-year, driven by a surge in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold profit increase in the first quarter of 2024. However, members of the NSEU have indicated that they are not seeing corresponding increases in their wages despite the company’s record profits.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the most cutting-edge computer chips globally.
Experts also note that Samsung has a reputation for being antagonistic toward unions and lacks significant experience in negotiating with its workforce.
“If Samsung workers succeed in this endeavor, it will empower the broader labor movement in South Korea,” remarked Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.