A three-day walkout by thousands of Samsung workers has left production at the tech giant’s manufacturing sites completely suspended as a form of protest against the company’s compensation plan.
The corporation and its employees have been engaged in a protracted disagreement, with the latest event being the strike that started on Wednesday. The National Samsung Electronics Union’s head, Son Woo-mok, told AFP that the strike has begun as of today.
He said: “Today’s general strike is just the beginning.”
He gave orders to the throng of workers not to report for duty until July 10th, nor should they take any calls about their jobs.
Speaking to the crowd, he said: “Recalling why we are here, please do not come to work until July 10th and do not receive any business calls.”
The workers are requesting a large pay increase, noting the growing cost of living and the company’s strong profits. They contend that the present offer from Samsung is insufficient and ignores their worries about working conditions, benefits, and job security.
Concerns have been raised about how the strike may affect Samsung’s supply chain and manufacturing.
Samsung Electronics, which rose to become the world leader in semiconductor and smartphone manufacturing, is said to have used strong-arm methods to successfully block company employees from organising unions for almost 50 years.
An outspoken opponent of unionisation, the company’s founder Lee Byung-chul reportedly said he would not permit them “until I have dirt over my eyes” before he passed away in 1987.
Industry analysts forecast major losses if the strike lasts longer than three days, although the company’s management has not yet commented on the matter.
While Samsung’s management is under pressure to settle the disagreement swiftly to minimise the damage to the business’s operations, the union has vowed to carry out the industrial action until its demands are met.
The union stated that workers at the company need to “act as one,” and the local brand news holds their disclosed take on the strike is: “This strike is the last card we can use,”
