Samsung workers go on group holiday.
Samsung has not encountered any issues with labor unions for an extended period. However, a labor issue is currently emerging in South Korea – Samsung workers are resorting to a new form of protest: taking group paid leave simultaneously.
The workers of the South Korean tech giant Samsung have initiated their first strike in the company's history. According to the chairman of the company's labor union, Son Woo Mok, many employees will be participating. He could not provide an exact number, but the number of attendees at work has dramatically decreased which indicates a significant difference from an ordinary day.
The corporation responded steadily to the situation. "There have been no effects on production and business operations," stated the company firmly. Furthermore, the strike is just for one day, and it coincides with South Korea's holiday season.
The adjustment of workforce is not anticipated to be a massive issue for the company. The industry publication "Trendforce" emphasized the high degree of automation in production processes at Samsung. As a result, the strike is unlikely to cause serious problems.
Nonetheless, this action carries historical importance. Samsung has consistently resisted any labor groups from existing in their company. The collective action demonstrates that "there is an emerging trend towards strengthening the labor force in South Korea," said Vladimir Tikhonov, a professor of Korean Studies at the University of Oslo.
Samsung Electronics is one of the most significant manufacturers of smartphones globally. The company is also amongst the leading manufacturers of highly efficient computer chips, essential for employing artificial intelligence. Discussions about wages have been underway since January, but the union and the company do not yet seem to have reached an agreement.
