Employees at Samsung are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages, holding a large rally in South Korea on Monday as their protest enters its third week.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports. This action follows initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The strike was initiated on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not yield the desired workplace improvements. Although the NSEU represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number currently participating in the indefinite strike is unclear. Nevertheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung is anticipating a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, driven by a boom in artificial intelligence. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, workers argue they have not seen corresponding increases in their wages despite the company’s record financial performance.
Many employees on strike are part of Samsung’s foundry operations, which produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. The company is known for its resistance to unionization and lacks extensive experience in negotiating with its workforce, as noted by experts in labor relations.
If the Samsung workers achieve success in their strike, it could have a significant impact on labor movements across South Korea, according to Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.