"Welcome" vs "Next Day's Volume Bomb" August 14 'No Delivery Day' Holiday Controversy

August 14 Designated as 'No Delivery Day'... Accepted by 4 Courier Companies Including CJ Logistics, Hanjin, Lotte, and Logen
"Rest Must Be Guaranteed to Prevent Courier Overwork Deaths"
Concerns Raised: "Who Will Handle the Volume on Rest Days?"
National Courier Solidarity Union: "'No Delivery Day' Welcomed, Will Respond with Better Service"

A courier logistics center in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] On the 14th of next month, designated as 'No Delivery Day,' delivery workers are guaranteed a day off. However, some delivery workers complain that if they take a day off, the volume of deliveries increases by the same amount the next day, rendering the day off meaningless. After their day off, they face the reality of having to work almost twice as hard, leading to growing sighs among delivery workers. Additionally, some delivery workers are not even eligible for this day off, prompting urgent calls for system improvements.

According to the National Delivery Solidarity Labor Union (Union) on the 17th, four delivery companies?CJ Logistics, Hanjin, Lotte, and Logen?have designated the 14th of next month as No Delivery Day.

Previously, the union had demanded rest, citing that delivery workers were suffering from excessive workloads due to a surge in delivery volumes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, the Korea Integrated Logistics Association, which the delivery companies belong to, set the 14th of next month as No Delivery Day, and the four companies, including CJ Logistics, agreed to guarantee delivery workers' rest. The day following No Delivery Day, the 15th, is Liberation Day, and the 16th is Sunday, allowing delivery workers up to three consecutive days off.

At the press conference held on the morning of the 9th at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, participants are seen performing the "Join the National Campaign for Taking Certification Photos and Delivering Vacation Tickets to Delivery Workers." Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 18th, the union expressed gratitude for the realization of No Delivery Day in an official statement. The union stated, "Due to the explosive increase in volume caused by the spread of COVID-19 and the onset of the hot summer, the labor intensity has become extremely high. Already this year, four delivery workers have died from overwork."

They added, "Even a single day of rest is desperately needed for delivery workers," and expressed thanks, saying, "It was because of the support and encouragement that delivery companies were able to officially designate a holiday."

President Moon Jae-in also posted on his social network services (SNS) such as Facebook on the same day, saying, "The lighter the steps of delivery workers, the happier the deliveries left at your doorstep will be. Overcoming COVID-19 will also be faster," and added, "Even if deliveries are a little delayed, I hope we can all be happy together."

Online communities, including mom cafes, welcomed the day off for delivery workers by spreading awareness of No Delivery Day.

A netizen who posted on a mom cafe said, "Delivery workers nationwide can finally rest. When purchasing goods, people should plan ahead and avoid ordering items that are not urgently needed on that day," and added, "It would be great if online shopping platforms could indicate that deliveries will not be made during this period so many people are aware."

They continued, "Every time I hear news about delivery workers collapsing from overwork, it breaks my heart," and said, "I'm glad they can rest peacefully even for a day," adding, "I hope many people remember the day off and participate in No Delivery Day."

A delivery courier is organizing the packages.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, delivery workers have mixed feelings about No Delivery Day. Some workers face the reality that the delivery volume accumulates during their day off, forcing them to handle two to three times the workload as soon as they return to work. This is why there is talk that even when delivery workers take a day off, it doesn't truly feel like resting.

A netizen identifying as a delivery worker, Mr. A, said, "People are not ordering fewer packages, and the volume remains the same, so creating a day off is just like a shell game," expressing concern about the delivery volume surge.

He added, "They will definitely increase the volume before and after the day off to avoid delivery delays," and lamented, "I already work about 14 hours a day, so resting like this is not really resting."

Netizen B said, "If it were a salaried job, rest would be welcome, but since this is a job where you earn according to how much you work, can you really welcome a day off unconditionally?" They expressed regret, saying, "Since the government supported and encouraged No Delivery Day considering the surge in delivery volumes due to COVID-19, I hope a better plan guaranteeing paid leave can be devised together."

They also said, "Consumers should also show consideration regarding delivery dates on No Delivery Day," and urged, "Above all, I hope the companies do not just superficially declare a holiday while being preoccupied with handling volume, but create an environment where delivery workers can rest comfortably."

There are also criticisms that delivery companies without unions are excluded from holidays, highlighting the urgent need for improved treatment.

Mr. Kim, a man in his 30s who said his acquaintance works in delivery, stated, "There is much controversy among delivery workers about whether they can truly rest on their days off, but some delivery workers cannot even talk about this," emphasizing, "Urgent social measures are needed to allow delivery workers to rest without worry."

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