Minister of Employment Urges CEOs of CJ Logistics, Coupang, and Others to "Improve Delivery Workforce Working Hours Management"

CJ, Hanjin, Lotte, Logen Delivery, Coupang, Emart, etc. Gathered

Prevention of Occupational Diseases and Accidents Such as Heart and Brain Disorders
"Compliance with 'Social Agreement' Including Exclusion of Parcel Sorting for Delivery Workers"

Minister Ahn Requests "Increase Youth Employment Opportunities"
Urges Provision of Broad Opportunities for Work Experience and Job Training

Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] An Kyung-duk, Minister of Employment and Labor, on the 8th summoned CEOs of distribution and logistics companies such as CJ Logistics and Coupang, urging them to thoroughly manage the working hours of delivery personnel including courier workers. He emphasized properly adhering to social agreements, such as excluding courier workers from sorting tasks and improving long working hours.

Minister An made these remarks at 2 p.m. at the President Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, during a 'Distribution and Logistics Industry Leaders Meeting.' Government officials including An and Kwon Ki-seop, Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Headquarters, as well as CEOs from companies such as E-mart, Homeplus, Lotte Mart, Coupang, Market Kurly, SSG.com, CJ Logistics, Hanjin, Lotte, and Logen Courier attended.

At the meeting, Minister An pointed out that as the distribution and logistics industry rapidly grows, accidents and illnesses are also increasing sharply. He urged them to take social responsibility commensurate with their elevated status. He stressed the importance of properly adhering to social agreements, including excluding courier workers from sorting tasks and improving the practice of long working hours. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of workers suffering from illnesses increased from 1,274 in 2019 to 1,369 last year, and in the first half of this year, it remained high at 846. Deaths from illnesses were mainly due to heart disease (47.7%) and cerebrovascular disease (34.3%), while common illnesses included accident-related back pain (36.8%) and tasks that excessively burden the body (30.3%).

Minister An said, "Courier companies should adhere to working hours based on social agreements for the health of their workers, and distribution and logistics companies should make efforts to manage working hours so that delivery personnel do not work long hours."

He added, "The government will also provide necessary support to companies, such as expanding health checkup cost support programs to include special employment workers (SEWs) like courier workers." Since March, the government has been supporting 80% of health checkup costs for SEWs such as courier workers, delivery workers, and substitute drivers, as well as sanitation workers. This year’s related budget is 3.35 billion KRW, covering 59,000 eligible individuals.

Minister An also requested CEOs to increase employment opportunities for youth at the meeting. Although he did not use the direct term "hire," he clearly conveyed the message to provide broader opportunities such as work experience and job training. He said, "Many young people still face difficulties finding jobs and are thirsty for 'opportunities for employment' such as job training and work experience. I hope you provide more opportunities that can increase young people's chances of employment."

The CEOs attending the meeting freely exchanged opinions on topics such as 'Improvement Measures for Safety and Health Management' and 'Creating Workplaces Respected by Youth.' According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the CEOs committed to working together to reduce industrial accidents on site and to expand the cultivation and hiring opportunities for young talent.

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