South Korea: Samsung Electronics Union Calls First-Ever Strike
The Facts
South Korean chipmaking behemoth Samsung Electronics on Friday witnessed a large section of its workers staging a walkout for the first time in its 55-year history.
The National Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) — which has around 28K members, 20% of the company's total workforce in the country — said the one-day protest was for better pay.
The Spin
Narrative A
Samsung Electronics has long been regarded as one of the world's best employers. Employees have often praised it for a range of things, from talent development to work-life balance. The chipmaker has consistently improved its working environment and corporate culture, fostering high employee satisfaction. The current strike must be viewed in this context and deemed a temporary blip.
Narrative B
Beyond the global fawning over Samsung Electronics' supposed showering of largesse over its workers lies a dark reality: The company's workers face challenging conditions, as reflected in the death of an employee in Vietnam in 2016, which raised concerns about overwork and toxic exposure. The workers striking now in South Korea indeed have legitimate concerns.