Employees of Samsung who are demanding improved working conditions and higher wages staged a significant 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 protest, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press.
This demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout did not achieve the workplace improvements its members seek. While the union represents over 30,000 workers, the exact number currently striking remains unclear. Nonetheless, this strike is noted as the largest in the company’s history.
Samsung is anticipating a staggering increase of more than 1,450% in second-quarter revenue compared to the same period last year, largely driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. The company also reported a tenfold increase in profits during the first three months of 2024. However, the NSEU points out that workers have not seen any corresponding raises in pay despite these record profits.
A significant portion of the striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured, according to AFP.
Experts highlight that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to union activities and lacks experience in negotiating with its employees.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, noted that if Samsung workers achieve success in their efforts, it could inspire other labor movements across South Korea.