Samsung workers approve pay deal but management still has trying times ahead

Unionised Samsung workers approved a government‑mediated bonus deal, averting a potential 18‑day strike that could have involved about 48,000 employees and hit Korea’s exports.
The deal awards huge, profit‑linked bonuses mainly to memory‑chip staff—some may get roughly $416,000—leaving other divisions feeling shortchanged and morale low.
Officials, shareholders and academics warn the pact breaks business norms, may face legal challenges and could inspire similar demands across the industry.