Gangnam-gu Vulnerable Groups Mask Distribution Sparks Union Opposition Over Staff Mobilization

The Gangnam District Branch of the Integrated Public Officials Union (Branch Chief Im Seongcheol) issued a statement on the 18th expressing regret over some neighborhood community center chiefs attempting to mobilize staff for mask distribution instead of using registered mail... Arguing it is unreasonable to assign vulnerable group mask delivery duties to community center employees already burdened with 4.15 general election tasks... Especially criticizing the behavior of some neighborhood chiefs and administrative team leaders despite Gangnam District Office's Autonomous Administration Division deciding on registered mail distribution.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jeong Soon-gyun) is facing opposition from the labor union regarding the decision to distribute masks to vulnerable groups via registered mail. Some heads and executives of local community centers decided to have employees deliver the masks themselves due to the cost of registered mail.

The Integrated Public Officials Union Gangnam-gu Branch (Branch Chief Lim Seong-cheol) posted a message titled "Request to Heads of Local Community Centers Regarding Mask Distribution" on the union bulletin board on the 18th, stating that they had heard absurd stories related to the distribution of masks to vulnerable groups by the Welfare and Living Bureau and wanted to address the heads and administrative team leaders of each local community center.

Branch Chief Lim said, "On the 12th, we expressed the union's position on the delivery of dental masks and informed that, with the cooperation of the Resident Autonomy Division, sending registered mail to certain groups is possible. However, there is a person who worries about the high cost of registered mail and plans the delivery of so many masks by employees one by one, so I want to raise a concern."

Lim added, "Is there a more reliable method than employees delivering masks? But now is the time to use the budget appropriately and handle tasks efficiently. If you think the registered mail fee is too high, shouldn't the election materials to be sent in the future also be delivered directly by employees instead of by mail?"

He criticized, saying that employees are not professional postal or courier workers, and questioned how many deliveries could be handled in a day. From his perspective, it seemed that someone who was not usually proactive in their duties suddenly became concerned about the fees.

Lim stated, "We are currently in a disaster situation. Therefore, each local community center aims to respond with uniformity and standards regarding the chaotic mask distribution." He explained, "Masks distributed by the district office are for basic pension recipients aged 65 and over, seniors aged 80 and over, disabled persons, emergency support recipients, and children aged 7 to 10, and soon all seniors aged 65 and over will be added."

He particularly noted that setting the age for socially vulnerable seniors at 65 and over and distributing masks accordingly is a reasonable decision and he does not want to object. However, he criticized that the masks being distributed are labeled as made in China, which is disappointing compared to the domestic F94 masks for children aged 4 to 6 that the Childcare Support Division sends directly by mail from the district office.

Branch Chief Lim said, "The personnel supported by the district office will first distribute masks on the 18th and 19th to seniors aged 80 and over and disabled persons with mobility difficulties, who received them from the Welfare Policy Division. On the 20th, masks for children aged 7 to 10 from the Childcare Support Division will be delivered," and added, "starting from the 18th, we will encourage recipients to pick up masks at the local community centers via text messages, and any masks not collected by the 20th will be sent by registered mail on the 23rd. We expect the postal fees to be less than anticipated."

He also requested, "The district mayor's directive to consider local community center employees as much as possible amid the election, and the support for postal fees from the Resident Autonomy Division, should not be ignored. The practice of mobilizing local employees by disregarding these supports must stop," and continued, "to consider the local employees, district office and welfare center staff assigned to this task should handle the deliveries, allowing local employees to focus on their primary duties. Also, support staff should be provided with local maps, shared phones, and notepads to minimize their burden during delivery, and support should be given generously."

Im Seong-cheol, Branch Manager

Branch Chief Lim concluded, "There have been some disturbances in certain local centers. In a workplace where we live together, one person's decision can make many people suffer. I hope managers will demonstrate their abilities through smooth handling of tasks," and warned, "If cases arise where local community center employees are forced onto the streets for mask distribution or are mobilized for mask delivery without using registered mail until the end, the union will respond strongly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.