Seoul City 'Idong Nodongja Shelter' Gets More Comfortable... LG Electronics Donates 21 Air Conditioners

Replacement of Old Air Conditioners and Installation in New Shelters for Mobile Workers' Rest Areas to be Completed in June
Donation Ceremony between Seoul City and LG Electronics Held on the 27th

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 28th that, with sponsorship from LG Electronics, it will replace and additionally install air conditioners in the ‘Mobile Workers’ Rest Areas’ so that mobile workers such as designated drivers, quick service couriers, and riders can stay cool during the summer. The work is scheduled to be completed in June, before the onset of the full heat.

Since 2016, Seoul has been the first local government to establish dedicated rest spaces called ‘Hyu (休) Mobile Workers’ Rest Areas’ for mobile workers who face difficulties due to the lack of proper places to rest during their work. Currently, five locations are in operation: Seocho, Hapjeong, Bukchang, Sangam, and Nokbeon.

LG Electronics is sponsoring a total of 21 air conditioners to Seoul. The city plans to use the sponsored equipment to replace old air conditioners at the existing mobile workers’ rest areas in Seocho, Hapjeong, Bukchang, and Nokbeon, and also to equip a new simple rest area for mobile workers scheduled to open in July in Seodaemun-gu.

Accordingly, on the 27th, Seoul and LG Electronics held a donation ceremony for Whisen air conditioners at Seoul City Hall. At the ceremony, both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to improving the harsh working conditions of platform and mobile workers. Attendees included Seo Seong-man, Director of Labor and Livelihood Policy at Seoul City, Park Joon-sung, Head of Air Solution Marketing at LG Electronics Korea Sales Headquarters, and Lee Nam-shin, Director of the Seoul Labor Rights Center.

Meanwhile, Seoul plans to install various types of ‘Simple Rest Areas for Mobile Workers’ in all autonomous districts by 2023, in addition to the currently operating rest areas, to provide platform and mobile workers?whose labor intensity has increased due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and changes in consumer behavior?with places to take short breaks during work.

Seo Seong-man, Director of Labor and Livelihood Policy at Seoul City, said, “By replacing and adding cooling facilities in the mobile workers’ rest areas, platform and mobile workers, whose working hours and intensity have recently increased sharply, will be able to rest in a more comfortable environment. Starting with this sponsorship from LG Electronics, we plan to expand cooperation with companies to develop support measures for workers in blind spots.”

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