Samsung Electronics workers protest outside Chairman Lee Jae Yong’s home amid stalled talks Union leaders representing thousands of Samsung Electronics employees staged a protest outside Chairman Lee Jae Yong’s home on August 1, AFP reported. Samsung Electronics, the largest subsidiary of the Samsung Group—South Korea’s most valuable company and a world leader in electronics research, development and manufacturing—has been facing significant labor unrest.
The protest followed failed negotiations between the union and Samsung management over workers’ compensation on July 31. For three consecutive days, union leaders have been negotiating with Samsung officials, demanding higher wages and improved benefits.
At the protest, protesters held up banners reading “Samsung Electronics Strike: Lee Jae Yong Must Be Responsible.” Police were quickly deployed to the area, telling protesters not to chant slogans, which added to the excitement of the demonstration.
The strike was part of an ongoing labor dispute that began with a July 8 strike, marking Samsung’s second strike in its history. The first strike took place just a month earlier on June 7. Originally planned as a three-day strike, it has now become indefinite.
Representing 28,000 members—more than 20 percent of the company’s workforce—the Samsung Electronics union has expressed frustration with the company’s handling of the strike. Some members claim Samsung is trying to sabotage the strike through illegal means, including creating a “blacklist” of participants.
Union member Kim Jae Won commented, “It’s been 25 days since the strike began, and all Chairman Lee has done is attend a lavish wedding and give Samsung phones to Olympic athletes, worth over 30 billion won ($22 million).”
Union chairman Son Woo Mok added, “We will expose all of this. They pressured workers, treated them unfairly, and caused workplace accidents.”
Samsung has yet to release specific figures on the number of workers on strike as of July 8. However, the company has claimed that the strike has not affected production, as evidenced by its announcement of record growth and profits for the second quarter earlier this week.
