Samsung employees advocating for improved working conditions and higher wages organized a large rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the third week of their ongoing strike against the company.
Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in the demonstration, marching through the Giheung campus in Yongin, as reported by the Associated Press. This rally follows initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place on Friday, according to Bloomberg.
The NSEU announced an indefinite strike on July 8 after an earlier walkout failed to yield the desired workplace improvements. Although the union represents over 30,000 employees, the exact number participating in the indefinite strike remains unclear. Nevertheless, this ongoing strike is the largest in Samsung’s history.
Despite an anticipated revenue surge of more than 1,450% year-over-year attributed to the AI boom, and a reported tenfold increase in profits for the first quarter of 2024, the NSEU has voiced concerns that workers are not receiving corresponding pay increases.
Many striking workers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, known for producing advanced computer chips. Experts note that Samsung has a history of being uncooperative with unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, stated that if Samsung workers achieve their goals, it could empower the broader labor movement in South Korea.