In South Korea, around 1,200 employees of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in a significant rally on Monday, marking the third week of their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages. The rally took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
The workers’ demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung on Friday, according to Bloomberg. The NSEU began its indefinite strike on July 8 after earlier walkouts did not result in the workplace improvements sought by its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number on indefinite strike remains unclear. Nonetheless, this current strike has been recognized as the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite Samsung Electronics projecting a massive increase of over 1,450% in second-quarter revenue driven by a surge in artificial intelligence, and reporting tenfold growth in profits for the first quarter of 2024, NSEU representatives argue that workers have not seen corresponding pay increases in light of these record profits.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they contribute to the production of some of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips. Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to union activities and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, noted that if the Samsung workers are successful in their efforts, it could have a positive impact on labor movements across South Korea.