Samsung and SK hynix, the bonuses for workers will leave you speechless!

The growth of demand related to artificial intelligence is producing significant effects in the memory sector, with direct impacts on compensation policies as well. The numbers emerging from South Korea highlight a phase of strong expansion, driven mainly by HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) and solutions designed for AI workloads.

In the case of SK hynix, the profit distribution system underwent a revision in 2025, removing the maximum cap on bonuses and introducing a share equal to 10% of operating profit allocated to employees. As reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily, analysts' estimates indicate an operating profit of about 250 trillion won (approximately 145 billion euros) for 2026, generating a bonus fund of 25 trillion won (about 14.5 billion euros). Dividing this amount among approximately 35,000 employees results in average bonuses close to 700 million won, equivalent to about 400,000 euros per employee, with projections nearing 765,000 euros in 2027. In the month of February alone, it is known that the company distributed average bonuses of about 140 million won, equal to approximately 81,000 euros.

A more complex situation involves Samsung Electronics, where the negotiations between the company and unions remain open. The crux of the matter relates to the percentage of profits to be allocated to workers: the union demands 15% of operating profit, while management proposes 10%, in line with the model adopted by SK hynix.

Forecasts indicate Samsung's operating profit to be around 298 trillion won. Applying the union's request, the semiconductor division would need to distribute about 580 million won per employee, or approximately 335,000 euros, over a workforce of 77,000 people.

The failure to reach an agreement has led to the announcement of a general strike scheduled between May 21 and June 7, preceded by a demonstration at the Pyeongtaek plant. The company has already initiated legal actions to limit any activities deemed non-compliant.

The current context marks a significant shift from the recent past. In 2024, Samsung had not distributed performance-related bonuses due to losses recorded in 2023 during the downturn in the memory market. SK hynix had also drastically reduced bonuses during the same period.

This change in trend is almost entirely attributed to the rise in demand for products intended for AI, particularly HBM, which are crucial for next-generation accelerators and GPUs.

The magnitude of the bonuses has sparked public debate in South Korea. Some observers emphasize that both companies have benefited from substantial incentives, including 20% tax credits under the K-Chips Act and infrastructure investments. According to estimates, the total tax benefits received over the last two years amount to about 20 trillion won, or approximately 11.5 billion euros. From this arises a demand, from a segment of public opinion, for a broader distribution of profits.

Forecasts suggest a possible further increase. A Macquarie estimate values SK hynix's operating profit at 447 trillion won for next year. In this scenario, maintaining the 10% share, the average bonus could exceed 1 billion won, or about 580,000 euros per employee.