"Coupang Logistics Departure Threatens Livelihood," Courier Union Demands Measures from Hanjin (Comprehensive)

"Resolution Rally and General Strike on the 29th"
Hanjin Taekbae "Prepare Measures to Counter Income Decline"

At 11 a.m. on the 25th, the National Courier Workers' Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Service Federation held a "Declaration of All-Out Struggle Press Conference" in front of the Hanjin Courier headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] Delivery workers are demanding dialogue with the company and urging measures after their livelihood was threatened due to a large volume of shipments that Coupang entrusted to Hanjin Delivery being withdrawn.

On the morning of the 25th, the National Delivery Workers' Union of the Service Federation of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a "Declaration of All-Out Struggle Press Conference" in front of Hanjin Delivery headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, announcing this. The Delivery Workers' Union demanded that the company come up with countermeasures by the 29th and said they would not hesitate to hold a rally and a general strike.

Kim Hyeongju, head of the Hanjin Geoje branch who has been working in delivery for 10 years, said, "Today is payday, but only about 2.1 million won was deposited into my bank account. After deducting VAT, it’s about 1.9 million won. Recently, I had to stop my children’s academy classes. After this press conference, I have to go to the bank to look into loans."

He added, "After working hard, I have to go to the bank to borrow money. If this situation continues, it will eventually be a reality where you go bankrupt while working. It’s desperate and unbearably difficult. I earnestly ask Hanjin Delivery to come up with measures."

Kim Taewan, senior vice chairman of the Delivery Workers' Union, said, "Hanjin, by signing a contract with Coupang, has created a situation where there are no countermeasures even if the volume is withdrawn at any time, and even after the incident, they only offered half-hearted measures to delivery workers facing a survival crisis, saying they would 'fill the volume through sales.'"

According to the Delivery Workers' Union, Coupang entrusted 7 million shipments to Hanjin Delivery earlier this year but announced that most of the volume would be delivered by itself. Since April, 3.6 million shipments have been withdrawn, and the union claims that commissions have effectively been halved, arguing that the company responsible for the sales failure must come up with countermeasures.

It is claimed that among 8,000 Hanjin Delivery workers, about 1,000 in 65 regions have been affected. Considering agency commissions, VAT, vehicle maintenance costs, and fuel expenses, the union explains that the income is below minimum wage levels.

Meanwhile, a Hanjin Delivery official stated, "As a measure to address the income reduction of delivery drivers, we have secured a total of 3.7 million boxes through strengthening headquarters sales with 1.1 million boxes and sales promotions by each agency and delivery driver with 2.6 million boxes."

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