Why are nearly 50,000 Samsung workers about to strike in South Korea? | The BriefWire
Why are nearly 50,000 Samsung workers about to strike in South Korea?
Published on 5/20/2026, 11:40:29 AM
Key points
Workers’ union says protest over bonuses will continue for 18 days.
South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics is facing one of the most serious workers’ strikes in its history, with a protest which could affect the overall economy and the group’s global supply of semiconductors.
The company’s workers’ union has announced that more than 48,000 workers will stop work on Thursday to protest for 18 days over their bonus payments.
The electronics giant is a major engine in South Korea’s economy, producing revenues equal to about 12.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
What has led to the strike and why is it a cause for concern?
Quick context: Workers’ union says protest over bonuses will continue for 18 days.