Samsung employees demanding improved working conditions and higher wages held a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike.
Around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the rally, which took place at the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This rally followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members are seeking.
While the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains uncertain exactly how many are involved in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this action is being recognized as the largest strike in Samsung’s history.
Samsung anticipates a significant increase in its second-quarter revenue, projecting a rise of more than 1,450% year-over-year, primarily due to a boom in artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. However, the NSEU claims that workers are not experiencing any corresponding pay increases despite these substantial profits.
Many of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where they produce some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly toward unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its employees.
A professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, Vladimir Tikhonov, stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could inspire and empower labor movements across South Korea.