Seoul, May 21 -- Samsung Electronics is expected to increase treasury share buybacks to fund a special bonus for semiconductor employees under a tentative labour agreement reached to avoid a planned strike, according to a report by The Korea Herald on Thursday.

As per the report, the company has agreed to provide a semiconductor performance bonus equivalent to 10.5 per cent of business performance earnings. The bonus will reportedly be paid in treasury shares over the next 10 years without any cap.

The report said Samsung Electronics currently holds around 82 million common treasury shares, based on year-end disclosures and subsequent buybacks and sales. However, these holdings may not be enough to meet the proposed bonus payout require...