Samsung‘s overseas violations of labor laws
A demonstrator protesting Samsung’s attempts to dismantle the union sustains a head injury after being attacked by hired thugs in November 2012. (provided by the FSPMI)
“Close monitoring of problem employee (MJ).”“Dismiss ringleaders at time of union establishment and create ‘loyalist union’ to prevent spreading.”“Use all available means to achieve goal, including exploiting domestic troubles (divorce) and financial issues.”These elements of Samsung’s union busting strategy were revealed in “basic labor-management relations guidelines” drafted in 1989, an “S Group labor-management strategy” from 2012, and an “organization stabilization plan” from 2014. In South Korea, Samsung has used various unlawful means to maintain its “union-free workplace” policy, including surveillance and shadowing, violence, intimidation, and dismissals. Its overseas factories have been no exception. Samsung’s union busting measures were frequently observed wherever the corporation had branched out – and have been a source of ongoing friction.In April, the Hankyoreh began an investigation into whether the freedom to associate – in terms of union establishment and freedom of activities – was being guaranteed at Samsung Electronics’ overseas factories.
