Baemin Announces Measures to Protect Small Merchants and Minimize Face-to-Face Contact

Minimizing Face-to-Face Contact Among Restaurant Owners, Delivery Workers, and Customers in Accordance with 'Social Distancing 2.5'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] Woowa Brothers, the operator of Baedal Minjok (hereinafter Baemin), has announced measures to address restaurant operation restrictions due to strengthened social distancing.

On the 31st, Woowa Brothers announced countermeasures for the 'Level 2.5 Social Distancing' including strengthening the takeout order function, minimizing face-to-face contact, and reviewing flexible application of the 2060 policy. Kim Beom-jun, CEO of Woowa Brothers, explained, "In line with government policies, we have prepared measures with a sense of social responsibility to prevent the spread of infectious diseases while reducing daily inconveniences and maintaining restaurant business activities by exploring all possible options as a platform company."

First, Baemin changed the service name of 'Baemin Order' within the app to 'Takeout Order.' Takeout Order is a function that minimizes face-to-face contact. Not only restaurants and cafes that find it difficult to receive customers but also customers reluctant to dine out can easily order food for takeout through this function with an intuitive name. For cafes and dessert shops that may be severely affected under Level 2.5 social distancing, the system was upgraded so that information on nearby cafes and dessert shops is displayed at a glance when selecting 'Takeout Order.' In 'Takeout Order,' there is no brokerage fee even if an order is placed, ensuring maximum profit for restaurants. In particular, Baemin decided to fully support the payment fees of about 3% that restaurants must pay to card companies when paying through 'Takeout Order' until the end of the year.

Additional measures to minimize face-to-face contact to prevent the spread of infectious diseases were also introduced. In the metropolitan area where Level 2.5 social distancing is implemented, Baemin plans to review a policy to restrict meeting and payment for a certain period in 'Baemin Riders.' Baemin Riders is a service where Baemin delivers food together, and if the orderer does not pay within the app, they must exchange cash or card in person. Baemin plans to minimize this process by adding the phrase "Stay safe without meeting, immediate payment recommended" at the top of the app and promoting in-app payment campaigns. Currently, about 13% of Baemin Riders orders are paid upon meeting.

If the situation where quick delivery is difficult continues, they will also consider flexible operation of the '2060 policy' introduced in March. The 2060 policy limits delivery working hours per week to 60 hours for full-time riders and 20 hours for part-time connectors. Labor groups have continuously demanded the abolition of this policy to increase rider income, but Woowa Brothers has maintained the position to keep it to prevent rider overwork. A Woowa Brothers official said, "In response to the change in circumstances due to strengthened social distancing, we will keep all options open, including flexible and temporary operation of the 2060 policy, and engage in dialogue with the union."

CEO Kim said, "We will operate the service with a sense of social responsibility as the number one delivery app company so that social distancing becomes somewhat less inconvenient and restaurant owners can worry less about sales decline."

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