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Photo courtesy of Yonhap News |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] SEOUL, South Korea — A prolonged labor dispute at Samsung Biologics is fueling growing dissatisfaction among union members after workers who participated in strikes and work-to-rule actions saw significant reductions in their monthly paychecks, according to a News1 exclusive report. The dispute has expanded from wage negotiations into legal battles and accusations between labor and management.
According to News1, Samsung Biologics recently provided employees with advance access to individual payroll information as inquiries increased over wage reductions linked to industrial action.
Employees who joined strikes and work-to-rule campaigns are expected to receive reduced pay this month under the company's "No Work, No Pay" policy. Deductions reportedly include wages corresponding to strike hours as well as overtime, night-shift, and holiday-work allowances that were forfeited during the labor action.
Given the 24-hour nature of biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations, where shift and overtime pay account for a substantial portion of compensation, some participating employees are said to have experienced monthly wage reductions of up to 1.5 million won.
The financial impact has reportedly fueled criticism of union leadership among rank-and-file members. Anonymous online forums have seen increasing complaints from employees who say the campaign has resulted in income losses without delivering meaningful improvements in working conditions.
Industry observers believe the union could face growing internal pressure as the dispute drags on. Recent legal developments, including court actions and allegations involving the disclosure of confidential documents, have further complicated the situation and heightened concerns among union members.
An industry official quoted by News1 said that while the union sought to improve employee rights and compensation, the prolonged confrontation has instead increased financial burdens and uncertainty for workers, warning that internal opposition could intensify if tangible results remain elusive.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
