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81.5% of Samsung Foundry workers may leave
A union survey finds 81.5% of Samsung Foundry workers may seek new jobs, fueled by a sharp bonus gap with the company’s memory division.
Image: ITzine
81.5% of employees at Samsung Electronics' Samsung Foundry division say they are ready to look for a new job within the next two years, according to a union survey. The results point to a widening internal pay divide at the company’s contract-chip operation, which is already trying to close the gap with TSMC in foundry manufacturing.
The survey ran from June 17 to June 30 and included 8,297 Samsung Electronics employees. Among workers in the contract-chip business, 62% said their desire to leave was “very high,” while another 19% described it as high.
The immediate trigger is the contrast between bonuses across Samsung’s businesses. Following a May strike and negotiations with one union, memory employees are expected to receive annual bonuses that will exceed $400,000 in some cases over the coming months. Part of those payments will come as shares with restrictions on selling.
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By comparison, payouts for chip developers and contract-manufacturing employees will be roughly three times lower. Annual bonuses in Samsung’s smartphone and home-appliance businesses will be 100 times lower than in memory, according to the source.
Why Samsung Foundry’s bonus gap is causing friction
The disparity did not emerge overnight. Samsung has relied on semiconductors as its main profit source for years, but its internal priorities remain uneven. Memory has historically generated more revenue than contract chip production, making it easier for the company to direct larger bonuses there when it needs to calm employees quickly.
Foundry operations face a tougher competitive environment. Samsung must compete for both customers and engineers while working to improve factory utilization and increase orders. With pressure from TSMC and other players, staff shortages are becoming an operational concern rather than simply a morale issue.
The union plans to use the survey results in its next negotiations with management. If Samsung does not narrow the gap between divisions, employee turnover is likely to return as an issue in the next bargaining cycle. A one-time bonus will not resolve concerns tied to project schedules, new process technology plans, and recruiting.
Enterprise Editor
Marcus follows the money. He covers enterprise software, cloud architecture, and the tectonic shifts in Big Tech strategy. He translates dense earnings calls and complex M&A activity into actionable insights about where the industry is actually heading. If a tech giant makes a silent pivot, Marcus is usually the first to notice.
via ITzine
