Delivery, Quick Service, and Substitute Drivers Also Subject to 52-Hour Workweek... Government to Push Legislation

Government Joint 'Platform Workers Protection Measures' Announced
Minister Lee Jae-gap: "Will Clarify Labor Law Protections"
Expansion of Industrial Accident and Employment Insurance Coverage... Strengthening Corporate Responsibility

Minister Lee Jae-gap of the Ministry of Employment and Labor [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The government is enacting a law to ensure that platform workers such as delivery riders and substitute drivers receive labor rights protection equivalent to that of 'regular workers.' This means applying labor-related laws such as the 52-hour workweek, minimum wage, and annual leave to platform workers.

The exclusivity criterion requiring workers to provide labor primarily to one business operator will be abolished, and platform workers will be included in industrial accident and employment insurance coverage through insurance premium support.

On the morning of the 21st, Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap held a briefing at the Government Complex Sejong and announced the 'Platform Worker Protection Measures.' This plan reflects the government's intention to protect platform workers, who face unstable employment and income and are in a blind spot regarding rights protection, within the institutional framework.

First, a new 'Platform Worker Protection and Support Act' will be prepared by the first quarter of next year. The bill will include provisions to apply labor laws if platform workers meet the criteria of being employees based on their contractual relationships, work types, and the nature of their compensation. Once the law is passed, platform workers will enjoy the same rights as wage workers, including the 52-hour workweek, minimum wage, holiday pay, and annual leave.

Minister Lee stated, "It is to clarify that protection through labor laws is a priority for platform workers who are employees under labor law, and to ensure that even platform workers who are not employees under labor law can have basic labor provision conditions protected, such as the preparation of standard contracts."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The existing law, which requires exclusivity to qualify for industrial accident insurance, will also be amended. The exclusivity requirement has been pointed out as a reason for the low subscription rate of platform workers to industrial accident insurance. Industrial accident insurance will be applicable to special types of workers and platform workers who provide labor to 'another person's business.' The government plans to establish a premium collection system reflecting the characteristics of each occupation and field and prepare a revision bill for the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act by the first quarter of next year.

Additionally, the 'National Employment Insurance Roadmap,' scheduled to be announced by the end of the year, is expected to include the application of employment insurance to platform workers and a safety net against income reduction and unemployment risks.

Minister Lee said, "We will lay the foundation for nationwide industrial accident insurance and nationwide employment insurance and reform the welfare system centered on workers so that it can also be applied to platform workers."

The responsibility of online platform companies will be strengthened. The government plans to promptly process the 'Living Logistics Service Industry Development Act,' currently pending in the National Assembly, to introduce a certification system for delivery-related companies and consider legislating a registration system based on the implementation results. This is to prevent the problem of unqualified delivery agencies flooding the market. The government also announced plans to establish and distribute standard contracts in the platform industry and provide incentives to companies that utilize them.

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