[Column] Improvement of Delivery Workers' Treatment, Will Consumers Ultimately Bear the Burden?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Opinions are divided over the 'Measures to Prevent Overwork of Delivery Workers' announced by the government on the 12th. Rather than being a solution, it seems to have brought about another source of concern. Delivery workers worry that their income will decrease due to reduced workloads, while consumers are concerned that delivery fees may rise or deliveries may be delayed. Especially since there are no legal protections in place for delivery workers, the government's measures sound even more hollow.

Looking closely at the government's announcement, it is full of half-baked and vague measures. The government stated that it will 'encourage' delivery companies to set a maximum daily working hour standard, 'recommend' restrictions on late-night deliveries, and 'encourage' a five-day workweek system including Saturday holidays. In other words, there is no legal enforceability regarding workload and working hour limits, so it relies solely on voluntary participation by business owners. Most delivery workers are classified as special-type workers (teukso hyeongtae geullo seongsaja, or special employment types) rather than regular employees, so the Labor Standards Act does not apply to them. Only when the 'Act on the Development of Living Logistics Service Industry,' currently pending in the National Assembly, is passed will it be possible to take substantial measures such as preparing standard contracts to protect delivery workers' rights.

The subcontracting structure and unfair relationships in the delivery industry are also problematic. Delivery companies have multiple agencies, and these agencies have multi-level subcontracting contracts with delivery workers, making delivery workers the 'lowest of the low.' The practice of large consignors such as online shopping malls taking back delivery fees through back margins (rebates) is also widespread. Recently, delivery companies announced protective measures such as hiring additional personnel, but there remains a possibility that the burden will ultimately be passed on to delivery workers. Additionally, issues such as increased delivery fees or delayed deliveries may arise under the pretext of improving working conditions. The government has entrusted these sensitive issues to social dialogue involving labor, management, and government (Delivery Worker Overwork Prevention Measures Council).

Delivery companies have engaged in cutthroat competition for years. As a result, delivery fees have fallen, and the income levels and working conditions of delivery workers have deteriorated. However, the government has not presented any alternatives to curb excessive competition among companies. The hierarchical relationships from large consignors to delivery companies, agencies, and delivery workers remain unchanged. There is no policy to reform the delivery industry structure or to promote direct employment of delivery workers. The public does not want to hear any more news of delivery worker deaths, but they also do not want poorly conceived measures hastily introduced under public pressure.

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