Coupang Invests 230 Billion KRW in Employee Safety and Health Management Since COVID-19

Effect of Introducing the 4-Week Paid Health Leave System 'Coupang Care'
Strict Quarantine Policy Maintained to Close Logistics Centers if COVID-19 Cases Confirmed

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] Coupang announced on the 17th that it has invested approximately 230 billion KRW in employee safety and health management and hired more than 600 dedicated personnel from early last year to the present. This is part of efforts to establish a global-level employee safety and health management system. Through this, Coupang has implemented labor welfare policies such as allowing employees to take paid breaks and receive health management coaching, and guaranteeing working hours about 30% less than the logistics industry average.

At the end of April, Coupang introduced 'Coupang Care,' a paid health promotion program to improve the health of delivery drivers and logistics center employees. Coupang Care, involving medical and healthcare experts, supports employees with abnormal health indicators such as blood pressure and blood sugar to stop work for four weeks and focus solely on health management. Targeted employees are excluded from work but receive their usual salary. In fact, about 60% of employees who participated in the first phase of Coupang Care experienced significant improvements in key health indicators.

Additionally, Coupang is implementing various support measures to help employees endure the summer heat. Coupang has installed thousands of cooling devices such as fixed air conditioners, portable air conditioners, and large fans in logistics centers nationwide, and regularly checks indoor temperatures at logistics centers to prioritize the health management of on-site employees. Furthermore, Coupang enforces strict quarantine measures related to the prevention and response to the COVID-19 virus to ensure employee safety. If even one COVID-19 case is confirmed at a logistics center, the basic principle is to immediately close the center and resume operations only after consultation with local health authorities. Accordingly, dozens of logistics center closures have been carried out to date.

Ryan Brown, Coupang’s Vice President of Environment, Health, and Safety, said, "Employees, especially those working at the logistics frontline, are the backbone of the company," adding, "Coupang will create the best workplace that meets global standards not only in providing the best customer experience but also in employee safety, working conditions, and welfare."

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