Seoul Jung-gu, Completion of Dedicated Rest Building for Public Officials (Sanitation Workers)

Construction of a Public Official-Only Rest Building in Jung-gu Euljiro 5-ga, B1 to 7F...Separate Spaces for Offices, Storage, Male and Female Lounges, and Showers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Seoyangho) has built the nation’s first dedicated rest building exclusively for on-site workers to guarantee the rest rights of public workers (environmental sanitation workers).

Located on the site of the Euljiro 5-ga public workers’ rest area, which was demolished due to a fire in 2017, the seven-story building above ground and one basement floor named 'Euljiro Gounjari' was established to improve the poor working conditions of on-site workers and boost their morale.

The building name 'Euljiro Gounjari' was selected through a naming contest among Jung-gu office employees, expressing respect for environmental sanitation workers, essential laborers who support and sustain our society.

Currently, there are a total of 13 public workers’ rest areas in the region, of which seven are located underground in public buildings such as underground walkways or senior centers, one is in a container, and another is inside a prefabricated building. Only four rest areas are located above ground. Most are underground spaces, making ventilation difficult and the spaces cramped, necessitating urgent improvements.

With the construction of this dedicated rest space, on-site workers now have a cozy exclusive shelter where they can comfortably change clothes and eat while avoiding extreme heat and cold.

Inside 'Euljiro Gounjari,' storage for work supplies, office space, separate restrooms for men and women, a rooftop rest area, and shower facilities have been arranged by purpose. To provide optimal convenience, the layout by floor and interior design were customized by reflecting the opinions of public workers as much as possible. New electronic appliances such as shoe dryers, foot massagers, TVs, refrigerators, and heating and cooling systems were also installed.

On the 11th, Mayor Seoyangho, public workers, and park and green space on-site workers held an opening ceremony for 'Euljiro Gounjari.' A brief meeting was also held to listen to the difficulties faced by on-site workers and to share encouragement and support.

On that day, a banner with the phrase "In our Jung-gu, there is not a single important task that you must do at the risk of injury" was displayed on the front of the building, conveying the message that each worker’s safety is of utmost importance. To prevent safety accidents that may occur during early morning or nighttime work, the district has required on-site workers to wear LED headlamps and pocket-hanging safety lights starting this month.

An official from the Jung-gu Office Cleaning Administration Department said, "With the enforcement of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act at the end of this month, the importance of preventing industrial accidents and improving working conditions is increasing, making the construction of a dedicated rest building for public workers even more meaningful."

Jung-gu plans to continuously improve rest environments for on-site workers by mandating the creation of public workers’ rest spaces in new public buildings, including the upcoming new community centers in Hoehyeon-dong, Sogong-dong, and Euljiro-dong, relocating underground rest areas to above ground.

Mayor Seoyangho of Jung-gu said, "I am grateful for the hard work of on-site workers who always strive for the cleanliness of residents’ daily lives in unseen places every dawn," and added, "We will continue to listen to the difficulties of on-site workers and strive to create better working environments."

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