A HOT POTATO: After Samsung came within hours of a damaging chip worker strike, another semiconductor giant is facing its own bonus-related unrest. This time, it's TSMC, whose employees are reportedly discussing unionization and even strike action over rumors that the company could cut performance bonuses despite enjoying record profits from the AI boom.
The anger appears to have been sparked by claims that TSMC is considering reducing some employee payouts by as much as 15%, with staff arguing that the company is asking workers to help pay for its enormous expansion plans.
One report stated that the backlash was further inflamed by comments attributed to CEO C.C. Wei, who allegedly said bonuses were too high and could create a negative public perception, suggesting a 20% to 30% reduction.
TSMC has since tried to calm the situation, saying employee profit-sharing bonuses have not been reduced this year and that it expects bonus growth in 2026 to exceed last year's pace.
Also read: AMD eyes TSMC's A14 node for Zen 7, bringing angstrom-era chips to the data center
