CJ Logistics Codifies 'Volume Reduction Request System' in Courier Contracts

'Reevaluation Service for Delivery Driver Health Management System to be Conducted Soon'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] Amid the rapid growth of the courier market and the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has led to the expansion of non-face-to-face culture, the issue of high-intensity labor among courier workers has emerged. In response, CJ Logistics has decided to explicitly include the courier workers' right to request a reduction in (courier) delivery volume in their contracts.

On the 28th, CJ Logistics announced that it will reflect the 'volume reduction request system' in the standard contract between distribution centers and courier workers. Until now, courier workers have verbally negotiated with distribution centers to reduce delivery times, but the company aims to institutionalize this by formalizing it in the contract.

Over the past several years, as the courier market has rapidly expanded, the issue of high-intensity labor among courier workers has consistently been a point of contention. According to a 2018 survey by the Korea Transport Institute, the average daily working hours of courier workers at that time were 12.75 hours, with an average of 25.6 working days per month. Especially recently, due to the spread of the 'non-face-to-face' culture amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is estimated that the burden on courier workers has further increased.

With the introduction of this volume reduction request system, when a courier worker requests a reduction in delivery volume, the distribution center will proceed with a consensus process considering various factors such as adjacent areas.

Meanwhile, CJ Logistics will also begin a service to re-examine the health management system for courier workers starting in August. This will include on-site inspections of courier workers' working hours and environments, systematic health checks for individuals, and the preparation of supplementary measures by the end of the year.

Although not legally required, CJ Logistics has previously conducted health checkups for all courier workers as individual business owners and is implementing various win-win cooperation systems such as tuition support for university student children, financial and material support during family events, and gifts for holidays and birthdays.

A CJ Logistics official stated, "By incorporating practices that existed only in the field into the standard contract, courier workers will be able to request delivery volume reductions according to procedures, and distribution center managers will be provided with a stable management environment, which is meaningful. We will also take the lead in establishing various support systems beyond conventional ideas and investing in infrastructure and systems to create a smart courier industry."

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