Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and increased pay staged a large rally in South Korea on Monday, as their strike against the company enters its third week.
Around 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) gathered and marched at the Giheung campus in Yongin, according to reports.
The demonstration followed initial wage negotiation discussions between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday.
The NSEU declared an indefinite strike on July 8 after a prior walkout failed to achieve the desired workplace improvements for its members.
While the union represents over 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are currently participating in the indefinite strike. However, this action marks the largest strike in the history of Samsung.
Samsung anticipates a significant revenue increase of more than 1,450% year-over-year for the second quarter, driven by a surge in AI technology. Additionally, the company reported a tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024. Despite this financial success, NSEU officials have pointed out that workers have not received corresponding pay increases.
A significant number of striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which manufactures some of the world’s most advanced computer chips.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being resistant to unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Professor Vladimir Tikhonov, an expert in Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers succeed in their efforts, it could empower other labor movements across South Korea.