Workers in Samsung Electronics' smartphone, television and home appliance division will hold a demonstration on July 16 to express opposition to the bonus package recently won by employees in the company's semiconductor unit, the union said.
The semiconductor division, which has been a major driver of the company's performance, negotiated a wage deal led by a separate union. By contrast, employees in the non-chip businesses are set to receive a bonus of 6 million won in treasury shares for 2026, while those in the semiconductor division may receive up to 600 million won, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Organisers said roughly 2,000 to 3,000 workers are expected to take part in the rally outside Samsung's headquarters in Suwon, according to statements cited by Yonhap from the largest union representing workers in the company's mobiles and consumer electronics division. The union counts about 28,000 members.
The planned demonstration comes as Samsung is due to publish an earnings estimate for the April-June quarter on Tuesday. The company is expected to indicate that operating profit surged about 18-fold compared with the same period a year earlier, underscoring the strong performance of its semiconductor business.
Context and immediate details
- The rally is scheduled for July 16 near Samsung's Suwon headquarters.
- Planned participation is estimated at between 2,000 and 3,000 employees.
- The non-chip division's award: 6 million won in treasury shares for 2026; semiconductor division award: up to 600 million won.
- The union representing mobiles and consumer electronics workers has about 28,000 members.
- Exchange rate cited in reports: $1 = 1,529.3000 won.
This development illustrates a significant gap between compensation outcomes negotiated across different parts of the same company. The semiconductor division's recent wage settlement, led by another union, produced awards that are markedly larger than those allocated to staff in Samsung's mobile and home appliance operations. The union organising the July 16 rally has made clear it intends to publicly protest the contrast in bonus levels.