Samsung's labor union is demanding that employees receive 15% of the company's annual operating profit as bonuses, which, if achieved, would mean an average bonus of over 64 million yen per employee.

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, local time, Samsung's labor union held a large rally, hinting at the possibility of a large-scale strike in May 2026. The union is negotiating wage increases and is demanding that employees receive a bonus equivalent to 15% of the annual operating profit.

모호한 근거에 '형평성' 논란 [ 일반 [ 기업 [ 기사본문 - IT

https://it.chosun.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2023092160873

Samsung Electronics labor unions vow no retreat in wage talks - The Korea Times
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/tech-science/20260423/samsung-electronics-labor-unions-vow-no-retreat-in-wage-talks

Samsung union stages mass rally over bonus fight - The Korea Herald
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10724207

Tens of thousands of Samsung workers drawn to a pre-strike rally: chip supplies might be disrupted - PhoneArena
https://www.phonearena.com/news/tens-of-thousands-of-samsung-workers-drawn-to-a-pre-strike-rally_id179865

A joint labor union federation comprised of three major Samsung labor unions—the Samsung Electronics Labor Union, the National Samsung Electronics Labor Union, and the Samsung Electronics Employees' Union—held a rally at a major semiconductor production site in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. The joint labor union federation claims that approximately 39,000 people attended the rally, but police estimate the number to be around 30,000.

The Federation of Trade Unions has demanded the removal of the cap on performance-based bonuses, the introduction of more transparent calculation standards, and that 15% of annual operating profit be allocated to bonuses. Among the participating organizations in the Federation of Trade Unions, the Samsung Electronics Workers' Union has approximately 74,000 members, making it Samsung's first majority union. As a majority union, the Samsung Electronics Workers' Union has legal recognition as a representative of the employees.

Samsung's annual operating profit in 2026 is expected to reach a maximum of 300 trillion won (approximately 32.3 trillion yen), meaning the labor union is demanding bonuses of over 4.8 trillion yen. Furthermore, Samsung's research and development expenses in 2025 were 37.7 trillion won (approximately 4 trillion yen), so the labor union is demanding bonuses even higher than that. If the bonuses are implemented, the average bonus per employee would be over 64 million yen.

More than 30,000 Samsung union members take to the streets to demand an average bonus of $400,000 per worker — May 21 strike date looms, union points to rival SK hynix granting higher bonuses to its employees https://t.co/kVaKTZoC4b

— Tom's Hardware (@tomshardware) April 23, 2026

Samsung has previously offered its labor union a special bonus exceeding the existing limit if its Device Solutions division, which handles its semiconductor business, achieves industry-leading performance. However, negotiations have stalled because the union is seeking permanent organizational restructuring.

The labor union has warned that if an agreement on bonuses is not reached with Samsung, they will go on a full-scale strike from May 21 to June 7. If this strike takes place, it is estimated that the shutdown of semiconductor production lines will result in losses of approximately 1 trillion won (approximately 100 billion yen) per day.

Choi Seung-ho, chairman of the labor union, criticized the management's stance, stating, 'It is not the management that made Samsung the world's number one in the semiconductor field, but the union members who maintained production, improved processes, and worked through the night to increase yields. The management claims that performance is determined solely by external market conditions, ignoring the efforts and hardships of the employees, and treating them as mere numbers rather than dedicated contributors.'

The strike could come amidst intensifying competition in the AI chip market, and if it does, it would deal a serious blow to Samsung's semiconductor supply. The Korea Times, a South Korean media outlet, points out that if the strike prevents Samsung from meeting deadlines with major customers such as NVIDIA, it could escalate into legal battles over damage claims.

Samsung shareholders also held a protest demonstration near where the labor union held its rally, criticizing the union's demands.

Meanwhile, SK Hynix, another South Korean semiconductor giant, pays bonuses of over 600 million won (approximately 64 million yen) per employee.

SK Hynix to pay bonuses of over 600 million won per employee | Asia Daily
https://japan.ajunews.com/view/20260424103949483