Thousands of workers eligible for B12 million each from huge AI profits
The prospect of a strike had sparked concerns in South Korea, where Samsung Electronics accounts for around 12.5% of the country’s gross domestic product. (Photo: AFP)
SEOUL - Samsung Electronics union members on Wednesday approved a deal with management securing massive annual bonuses after threatening a major strike, as the global artificial intelligence boom causes the South Korean chip giant’s profits to soar.The agreement means that around 78,000 employees from the company’s 125,000-strong domestic workforce are eligible to receive a bonus of roughly $370,000 (12 million baht) this year, based on a market estimate of annual operating profit.
Samsung’s largest workers’ union said in a statement that more than 73% of its members had backed the agreement in an electronic vote held over six days.
The deal was struck at the last minute last week to avert an 18-day strike that had raised fears over the impact on South Korea’s economy.
