S. Korean gov't rolls out measures to protect parcel delivery drivers from overwork
- 3 years ago
택배기사 하루 작업시간 한도 정하고 주 5일제 유도한다
The parcel delivery industry in South Korea has displayed exponential growth...particularly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with people choosing to shop online rather than visit stores in person.
However, the number of delivery drivers has not increased to match the workload nor have driver working conditions improved...leading to the death of at least 10 drivers due to exhaustion this year alone.
The South Korean government on Thursday announced new measures that aim to protect delivery drivers and improve their working conditions.
Eum Ji-young has more.
At least 10 parcel delivery workers in South Korea died this year alone, largely due overwork and poor working conditions.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport on Thursday held a joint briefing to announce new measures to address the issue.
"We will improve the current system in order to prevent the overworking of delivery workers and expand the social safety net to improve their working conditions."
( 1)To protect parcel delivery workers, all couriers will be obligated to set maximum daily working hours for drivers. These hours will differ from company to company.
( 2) Courier firms will not be able to impose penalties for delayed deliveries.
( 3) And they will be required to establish their own systems to control the number of parcels that are allocated to each driver.
( 1) Companies will also be advised to restrict late-night overtime after 10 PM by blocking the delivery apps the workers use.
( 2) Also, the government will encourage parcel delivery companies to implement five-day work weeks.
Currently, the average delivery driver works around 12 hours a day, delivering 2-hundred-50 packages...6 days a week.
The government will also encourage companies to improve working conditions and strengthen other safety measures.
Coverage of occupational health and safety insurance will be expanded and employment insurance will be provided to those who are not permanent employees, including workers on part-time contracts.
The government said it will also consider infrastructure and pricing structure reforms within the parcel delivery sector.
Eum Ji-young Arirang News.
The parcel delivery industry in South Korea has displayed exponential growth...particularly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic with people choosing to shop online rather than visit stores in person.
However, the number of delivery drivers has not increased to match the workload nor have driver working conditions improved...leading to the death of at least 10 drivers due to exhaustion this year alone.
The South Korean government on Thursday announced new measures that aim to protect delivery drivers and improve their working conditions.
Eum Ji-young has more.
At least 10 parcel delivery workers in South Korea died this year alone, largely due overwork and poor working conditions.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport on Thursday held a joint briefing to announce new measures to address the issue.
"We will improve the current system in order to prevent the overworking of delivery workers and expand the social safety net to improve their working conditions."
( 1)To protect parcel delivery workers, all couriers will be obligated to set maximum daily working hours for drivers. These hours will differ from company to company.
( 2) Courier firms will not be able to impose penalties for delayed deliveries.
( 3) And they will be required to establish their own systems to control the number of parcels that are allocated to each driver.
( 1) Companies will also be advised to restrict late-night overtime after 10 PM by blocking the delivery apps the workers use.
( 2) Also, the government will encourage parcel delivery companies to implement five-day work weeks.
Currently, the average delivery driver works around 12 hours a day, delivering 2-hundred-50 packages...6 days a week.
The government will also encourage companies to improve working conditions and strengthen other safety measures.
Coverage of occupational health and safety insurance will be expanded and employment insurance will be provided to those who are not permanent employees, including workers on part-time contracts.
The government said it will also consider infrastructure and pricing structure reforms within the parcel delivery sector.
Eum Ji-young Arirang News.