Samsung can never see my face: story of a secret trade unionist

Samsung can never see my face: the story of a secret trade union organiser infiltrated in Samsung's plants, with a 'no union' policy Youtube under a Creative Commons Licence

Samsung has a reputation for modern technology, but also a history of medieval conditions for its estimated 1.5 million workers. An anonymous worker risks all to organize.

I can't tell you who I am, where I live, or what I look like.

If Samsung found out, I could lose my job. The future of my family – the livelihood of my wife, son, and daughter – would be at risk.

But here's what I can say: I’m a secret trade union organizer. I work for Samsung, and can never be in the picture.

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Why the secret? Because Samsung's ‘no-union’ policy bans millions of people like me who work for Samsung or its suppliers from openly organizing for a better future.

And unfortunately my story is all too common: the Asia Monitor Resource Centre reports that Samsung's ‘no-union’ policy affects the entire Asian electronics industry – that's because the company uses its power and leverage to intervene with its suppliers. From the top of its supply chain down, Samsung prohibits the formation of unions by threatening to cancel contracts wherever workers like me organize.

But I organise anyway. Despite the risk, I carry on fighting for the right to a decent place to work, a better life, a better future, for my family.

RELATED: Taking matters in their own hands: what happens when official trade unions are working for the state, not for the workers

A family just like yours: we eat, we pray, we argue, we play. We cherish those moments that bring us together. But it's all in danger unless we end Samsung's ‘no union’ policy.

Will you join me? Help me expose Samsung's secret. Share my story, because I can't do it without your help.