Samsung workers in South Korea stage first-ever strike

SEOUL Workers at technology giant Samsung Electronics in South Korea staged the first-ever strike at the company on June 7, the head of a major union representing tens of thousands of people told AFP.

Samsung Electronics is one of the world's largest smartphone makers and also one of the few companies globally to produce high-end memory chips used for generative artificial intelligence (AI), including top-of-the-line AI hardware from industry leaders such as Nvidia.

Management at the firm, the world's biggest producer of memory chips, has been locked in negotiations with the union over wages since January, but the two sides have failed to narrow their differences.

"The first strike at Samsung Electronics is taking place today through the use of paid leave, and it is understood that many employees are participating," said Mr Son Woo-mok, head of the National Samsung Electronics Union.

"It's difficult to provide an exact number, but from what I've seen of the workplace attendance in the morning, there is a significant difference from the usual," he added.

The strike in South Korea is the first walkout by the tech giant's workers.