Samsung workers in South Korea extend strike indefinitely

The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) has announced an indefinite strike extension, which could potentially disrupt global tech supply chains. This escalation comes after what was initially planned as a three-day walkout to pressure Samsung management for better wages and benefits.

The NSEU, representing roughly 30,000 workers or nearly a quarter of Samsung's South Korean workforce, began their strike on July 8th. The union claims their initial actions have already disrupted production, a claim Samsung refutes.

"Samsung Electronics will ensure no disruptions occur in the production lines," a company spokesperson told BBC News. "The company remains committed to engaging in good faith negotiations with the union."

However, the NSEU disputes this, stating that the company has no intention to engage in a dialogue even after the first general strike, thus "we declare a second general strike starting from July 10th, lasting indefinitely."

The union is demanding a 3.5% base salary increase and an additional paid vacation day. This comes amidst a period of strong financial performance for Samsung. Last week, the company announced a projected 15-fold increase in profits for the quarter ending June 2024, driven by the global boom in Artificial Intelligence technology.

The NSEU says around 6,500 workers participated in the initial strike and is urging more members to join the extended action. The potential impact on Samsung's production capabilities and the broader tech industry remains to be seen as the strike unfolds.