Samsung employees striking for improved working conditions and increased pay held a significant rally in South Korea on Monday, marking the continuation of their protest into 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 sought by its members.
Although the union represents over 30,000 workers, it remains unclear how many are participating in the indefinite strike. Nevertheless, this action is noted as the largest strike in the history of the technology giant.
Despite Samsung’s anticipated second-quarter revenue increase of more than 1,450% year-over-year due to an artificial intelligence boom, along with a tenfold rise in profits for the first three months of 2024, the NSEU has stated that workers have not seen corresponding pay increases.
A significant number of those on strike are employed at Samsung’s foundry, where some of the world’s most advanced computer chips are manufactured, according to reports by AFP.
Experts note that Samsung has a reputation for being unfriendly towards unions and lacks experience in negotiating with its workforce.
“If Samsung workers succeed in this endeavor, it will empower the rest of South Korea’s labor force,” remarked Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo.