Samsung employees have launched a significant strike for better working conditions and higher wages, with a large rally held in South Korea on Monday. This protest marks the continuation of their actions into the third week, demonstrating the growing discontent among the workforce.
Approximately 1,200 workers from the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin. This follows initial wage negotiations that took place on Friday, highlighting both the urgency and seriousness of the situation.
On July 8, the NSEU declared an indefinite strike after previous attempts to negotiate improvements in working conditions and compensation fell short. While the union has more than 30,000 members, it remains unclear how many are actively participating in the strike, which is already the largest in the company’s history.
Interestingly, despite Samsung Electronics anticipating an impressive second-quarter revenue increase of over 1,450% year-over-year, driven by the boom in artificial intelligence, workers feel left behind. The NSEU has pointed out that while the company reports significant profits, these gains have not translated into better pay for its employees.
Many striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they manufacture some of the world’s most advanced computer chips. This high level of demand and revenue makes their call for increased wages even more pertinent.
Samsung is known for its unsympathetic stance towards unions and its lack of experience in labor negotiations, which adds complexity to the situation. Experts suggest that if workers at Samsung are successful in their current efforts, it could set a powerful precedent for labor rights across South Korea.
This strike not only highlights the issues at Samsung but also underscores a broader need for dialogue and reform in labor practices within the tech industry. It poses an opportunity for progress, with the potential to inspire other workers to advocate for their rights. The resilience of the Samsung workers serves as a hopeful reminder that collective action can lead to meaningful change in the workforce.