Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher salaries organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their strike against the company as it 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, South Korea, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members are seeking.
While the union represents more than 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many members are actively participating in the indefinite strike. Nonetheless, this current action is being recognized as the largest strike in the history of the technology giant.
Despite Samsung’s projection of a more than 1,450% rise in second-quarter revenue year-over-year driven by advancements in AI, and a reported tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024, the NSEU asserts that its members have not seen corresponding pay increases despite these remarkable financial results.
The striking workers primarily include those employed at Samsung’s foundry, which is known for producing some of the most advanced computer chips globally.
Experts note that Samsung has a history of being unfavorably disposed towards unions and lacks substantial experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov, a specialist in Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their current efforts, it could significantly empower the broader labor movement in South Korea.