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Samsung Union Vote Approves Record Profit‑Linked Bonuses and Averts Planned 18‑Day Strike

The pact locks in a 6.2% pay rise with 10.5% of operating profit earmarked for bonuses, creating pressure on other large South Korean firms.

Overview

  • Union members voted to accept the agreement on Wednesday, ending a threatened 18‑day general strike by roughly 48,000 organised Samsung workers.
  • The deal sets a company‑wide average pay rise of 6.2% and commits 10.5% of operating profit to employee bonuses with initial one‑time payments due in 2026.
  • About 78,000 employees in the chip division are expected to receive an average one‑time payment of 509 million won (roughly €291,000), with some chip roles projected to reach about 600 million won.
  • Payouts vary sharply across departments, with reports of amounts as low as about 6 million won for some non‑chip staff, prompting at least one union to sue to block the agreement.
  • Because Samsung accounts for a large share of South Korea's economy, analysts warn the profit‑sharing formula could prompt similar demands at other major firms and reshape wage talks nationwide.