Approximately 1,200 members of the National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) participated in a substantial rally on Monday at the Giheung campus in Yongin, South Korea, as their strike for improved working conditions and increased pay continues into its third week.
This collective action follows initial wage negotiations between the union and Samsung that took place last Friday. Workers had previously initiated an indefinite strike on July 8 after earlier attempts to secure better workplace conditions did not yield the desired outcomes.
While the NSEU represents more than 30,000 employees, it remains unclear how many are partaking in the indefinite strike. However, this current strike marks the largest in Samsung’s history. Notably, despite Samsung Electronics expecting a remarkable increase in second-quarter revenue—projected to soar more than 1,450% year-over-year due to an AI boom, along with a tenfold increase in profits in the first quarter of 2024—workers have not benefited from corresponding pay raises, according to the union.
Many strikers are employed at Samsung’s foundry, which is responsible for manufacturing highly advanced computer chips. Experts point out that Samsung’s history with labor unions is troubled, as the company has been known for its hostile stance and lack of experience in negotiating with its workforce.
Experts believe that successful labor actions by Samsung employees could serve as an empowering precedent for other labor movements across South Korea. Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean studies at the University of Oslo, noted that if workers at Samsung are able to secure their demands, it may invigorate and strengthen labor rights across the nation.
This situation underscores the ongoing tensions between corporate profitability and workers’ rights, calling attention to a growing movement for fair wages and working conditions in high-stakes industries. The outcome of this strike may have significant implications not only for Samsung but also for labor relations in South Korea as a whole, fostering a more equitable environment for workers.