"Cooling Devices Useless"... Workers Collapsing Amid Heatwave

"Basic Stomach Issues, Dizziness, and Lethargy"
Workers Urge Improvement of Working Conditions Amid Heatwave

As daytime temperatures continue to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in a heatwave, the risk of heat-related illnesses is increasing, especially for workers operating in high-temperature environments. On the 19th of last month, a fatal accident occurred involving a worker in their 20s at a large mart parking lot. Workers are demanding guaranteed break times and improved working conditions during heatwaves.

Coupang logistics center workers went on strike for one day on the 1st to demand heatwave countermeasures. The Coupang Logistics Center Branch of the National Logistics Center Branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union held a press conference in front of Coupang headquarters, stating, "We will begin a strike on August 1, the hottest day of summer and Coupang's regular delivery day," and added, "We will employ various methods such as simultaneous annual leave, health leave, absenteeism, and strikes."

They are demanding compliance with the Ministry of Employment and Labor guidelines during heatwave advisories and warnings, as well as guaranteed break times. On the 31st, Jeong Dongheon, head of the Dongtan branch of the Coupang Logistics Center, said in an MBC radio interview about the working environment, "Summer is extremely tough. First of all, feeling unwell is basic, sometimes I get dizzy and feel lethargic. These are chronic symptoms of heat-related illnesses, and many people, including myself, experience them."

Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor's "Heat-related Illness Prevention Guide for Summer Heatwaves," when a heatwave advisory or warning is issued, workers must be given rest periods of 10 to 15 minutes or more per hour. Additionally, indoor workplaces must have temperature and humidity meters to ensure that the workplace temperature is maintained at an appropriate level.

However, the union claims that these guidelines are not properly followed in actual workplaces. Jeong said, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor's guidelines are only recommendations and are rarely followed," adding, "The company says cooling devices or air conditioners are installed, but most are just fans or air circulators. You can assume there is no air conditioning at the site."

He continued, "(Even if cooling facilities are installed,) the logistics center is very large, so it is questionable whether the entire area can be covered," and pointed out, "Because the temperature is high, the air coming out is very hot, and the cooling devices do not operate properly."

On the 19th of last month, a worker in their 20s, Mr. A, died while organizing shopping carts at the warehouse-type large mart Costco Hanam branch.

According to the bereaved family, Mr. A was responsible for pushing about 200 carts to the store entrance every hour, and on the day of his death, he traveled a distance of 17 km. Mr. A's father said in an MBC radio interview, "As far as I know, ice boxes were available on each floor, but the coolers were sometimes working and sometimes not, and the air circulation devices were turned on more than before when I visited twice, but I understand they were not kept running continuously."

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