Coupang Workers Urge Government to Implement Heatwave Measures for Logistics Center Employees

Coupang States "Additional Measures for Break Rooms and Workspaces Are Being Prepared"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The Coupang Logistics Center Labor Union has demanded the government implement heatwave countermeasures for Coupang workers.

On the 23rd, the Coupang Logistics Center Branch of the National Logistics Center Branch of the Public Transport Union held a press conference at the Democratic Labor Union in Jung-gu, stating, "Workers have relied solely on fans every year while working inside buildings with no ventilation and mezzanine structures built to stack many products," adding, "Coupang workers suffer from harsh labor with no breaks in extreme heat and cold."

The union claimed, "Coupang falsely asserts that thousands of air conditioning units are operating," and "They still do not stop inhumane practices such as banning thermometers brought in to check workplace temperatures."

The temperatures measured by the union at Coupang logistics centers during the heatwave reached a high of 36.1 degrees Celsius (3.5th floor of Goyang Center on July 31). On the 28th of last month and the 1st of this month, temperatures rose to 36 degrees, and on the 31st of last month, it reached 35.9 degrees.

They criticized that the special labor inspection promised by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum has not yet been carried out. Prime Minister Kim had announced the implementation of a special labor inspection following the fire accident at Coupang Deokpyeong Logistics Center in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province.

The union stated, "Even when the Ministry of Labor recommends giving rest breaks to logistics center workers, and even when the minister personally visits the site, Coupang does not budge," and demanded, "The government must establish a special labor inspection and enforceable comprehensive countermeasures for heatwaves and cold spells."

In response, Coupang stated that appropriate measures are being taken. Coupang explained, "We provide bottled water, ice water, ice cream, and saline glucose at delivery camps and logistics centers nationwide," and added, "Air conditioning facilities have been installed in logistics centers according to the situation of each space, and additional measures for rest areas and workspaces are being prepared."

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