Employees of Samsung are currently engaged in ongoing strikes aimed at securing improved working conditions and higher wages. The movement entered its third week with a significant rally held in South Korea, where around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin.
This large-scale demonstration follows initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday. The union’s push for better workplace conditions escalated into an indefinite strike that began on July 8, after previous attempts to negotiate were unsuccessful. While the NSEU represents over 30,000 workers, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Notably, this strike is characterized as the largest in the company’s history.
Despite Samsung’s projections of more than a 1,450% increase in revenue for the second quarter compared to the previous year, largely due to a surge in AI-related technology, workers claim they have not seen corresponding increases in their salaries. Many strikers are involved in producing advanced computer chips, a key segment of the technology industry.
Experts also point out that Samsung has a history of being resistant to union activities and has limited experience in negotiating with its workforce. Noteworthy is the statement from Vladimir Tikhonov, a Korean studies professor, who reflected on the potential ripple effects of the strike. If the workers at Samsung are successful, it may encourage labor movements across South Korea.
This development highlights the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices within rapidly advancing industries. The situation at Samsung can be seen as a pivotal moment not just for the company but for the labor movement in South Korea as a whole. A successful outcome for the striking workers could potentially inspire other employees in similar high-tech sectors to advocate for their rights and seek fair compensation.