[Exclusive] Bus Company Providing Masks That Do Not Block Droplets Faces Criticism for Lax Quarantine Awareness

Articles Wearing Masks That Do Not Block Droplets
Bus Companies to Stop Providing Masks from September
Companies and Local Governments Avoid Responsibility Due to Budget Issues

Citizens wearing masks and using the bus at the Seoul Station platform. Photo is not directly related to the article / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Jeongyun Lee] As confirmed cases of COVID-19 have emerged among city bus drivers, causing great anxiety among citizens, the complacent quarantine awareness of bus companies has come under scrutiny. Some companies either do not properly provide masks to bus drivers or supply low-quality masks because they are cheap.

◆ Bus drivers wearing masks that do not even block droplets = On the 28th, Asia Economy surveyed 10 Seoul city bus company unions and found that 8 companies provide masks to drivers at the company level, while 2 companies do not, forcing drivers to purchase masks at their own expense. The companies that provide masks mostly distributed those supplied by the 'Seoul City Transportation Business Association,' an organization of bus operators. However, the association plans to stop mask support from early September, so each bus company will decide independently whether to purchase masks thereafter.

Among the masks provided by the association, many were found to be Chinese products without the Korea Food and Drug Administration's droplet-blocking certification (KF-AD). These are sold on the market for about 130 to 150 KRW per mask. In contrast, KF80 or higher certified masks cost between 800 and 1100 KRW each. Some drivers, concerned about mask quality, often buy KF80 or higher masks at their own expense.

Recently, three city bus drivers in Seoul and one in Ulsan tested positive for COVID-19, increasing anxiety among passengers and drivers. Bus driver A said, "In one round trip, I come into contact with 400 to 500 passengers, but the company provides masks that have no real function." Bus driver B also said, "I buy better masks at my own expense," adding, "Most bus drivers are dissatisfied because the masks provided by the company are low quality."

Many companies that did not even provide low-quality masks have drawn criticism. The National Federation of Automobile Workers' Unions, representing bus industry workers, recently confirmed cases of some bus companies not providing masks and pointed this out. Last month, they sent official letters to 65 bus companies in Seoul demanding the provision of masks and other hygiene products. The association's support for masks to bus companies starting in early September was also due to this demand.

◆ Companies and local governments shirking 'basic hygiene' responsibilities = Ultimately, the issue is budget. Companies expect support from local governments, while local governments do nothing citing lack of allocated budgets. Seoul City has placed masks and hand sanitizers for drivers in vehicle dispatch rooms and offices and issued quarantine guidelines requiring masks to be worn at all times. However, there are no guidelines to provide masks meeting specific standards. Seoul City states that mask provision is a matter for labor-management consultation. A Seoul City official said, "It is the transport companies' obligation to provide masks," adding, "We have not checked each case of providing low-quality masks, but we will look into this going forward."

Bus drivers point out that companies and local governments are shifting responsibility to each other over budget issues. Yoo Jae-ho, Director of Legal Affairs at the Automobile Workers' Union, said, "Providing masks is an obligation companies must bear as employers to operate their business," and urged, "However, local governments should also take an interest in this issue amid the spread of infectious diseases, and the government should establish standards through legal amendments."

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