Workers at Samsung Electronics are continuing their strike for improved working conditions and higher wages, with a significant rally held in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their action.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in a march at the Giheung campus in Yongin. This demonstration followed initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday.
The strike, which began on July 8 after an earlier protest fell short of achieving the desired workplace improvements, represents one of the largest labor actions in the history of the technology giant, although it remains unclear how many of the union’s 30,000 members are currently participating in the indefinite strike.
Samsung is anticipating a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, attributed to a surge in AI-related business. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers have not seen corresponding increases in their wages despite these record financial results.
Many striking employees are involved in Samsung’s foundry operations, where they manufacture some of the world’s most sophisticated computer chips. Experts highlight that the company has a reputation for being resistant to unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, stated that if Samsung employees succeed in their strike, it could empower labor movements across South Korea.