Conflict Over Break Time Amid Heatwave... Coupang Union to Start 'Compliance Strike' from the 2nd

Recommendation for 10-Minute Breaks When Temperature Exceeds 33°C
Conflict Between Labor and Management Over Perceived Temperature Measurements
Ministry of Labor Plans Logistics Center Survey

As the Ministry of Employment and Labor raised the heatwave response level to the highest this month, labor-management conflicts are occurring at logistics centers. The Coupang logistics center union will begin a 'lawful struggle' from the 2nd, demanding guaranteed break times. On the other hand, the company has rebutted, stating that it is taking various measures to prepare for the heatwave. The Ministry of Employment and Labor's guidelines lack enforceability, and results may vary depending on the location of the perceived temperature measurement, which is pointed out as the cause of such conflicts.

The Coupang Logistics Center Branch is holding a tent protest at Incheon 4 Center demanding measures against the heatwave.
[Photo by Coupang Logistics Center Branch Facebook]

Jung Sung-yong, head of the Coupang Logistics Center branch of the National Public Transport Union, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 1st, “In the past week, logistics centers in Incheon, Dongtan, and Daegu have recorded an average perceived temperature of 34 to 35 degrees Celsius,” adding, “Measurements are based on thermohygrometers installed by the company. We calculate the perceived temperature using the Korea Meteorological Administration website, but the company is not providing break times.”

The Coupang labor union staged a strike that day, demanding heatwave countermeasures. Union members did not come to work by using annual leave, health leave, and absences. This strike is the first since the Coupang Logistics Center branch was established in June 2021. However, it was reported that the union member ratio is low compared to the total employees, so there was no disruption to logistics center operations. The union plans to start a 'lawful struggle' from the 2nd, taking breaks according to the Ministry of Labor guidelines.

Logistics centers are usually structured with multiple floors for efficient product stacking. Because of this, the workplace is indoors but vulnerable to high external temperatures unlike typical residential facilities. If cooling or ventilation facilities are not perfectly equipped, there is a high risk of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke during summer. Accordingly, the Ministry of Employment and Labor guidelines (Regulation No. 566 on Industrial Safety and Health Standards) recommend guaranteeing 10 minutes of break time every hour when the perceived temperature is 33 degrees Celsius or higher (heatwave advisory), and 15 minutes every hour when the perceived temperature is 35 degrees Celsius or higher (heatwave warning).

However, since the guidelines are not mandatory and results can vary depending on the location of temperature and humidity measurement and the method of calculating perceived temperature, this can lead to labor-management conflicts. Regarding the union's claims, Coupang stated that it conducts regular heat illness prevention education, measures temperature and humidity periodically, and provides additional break time beyond the legally mandated breaks. A Coupang official said, "To create a comfortable working environment for employees, we operate various cooling and ventilation devices and provide cooling products, continuing multifaceted measures and related investments to prevent heat-related illnesses." A Ministry of Labor official said, "We will conduct another survey on the actual conditions of logistics centers such as Coupang," but added, "since each business has different circumstances, legal enforcement is realistically difficult. The purpose of the guidelines is to recommend periodic breaks to prevent heat-related illnesses during heatwaves," they explained.

There are calls to strengthen the guidelines to protect workers during heatwaves. Professor Lee Byung-hoon of the Department of Sociology at Chung-Ang University said, “The government’s guidelines are only recommendations, so they can be ignored and lack enforceability,” adding, “It is necessary to consider strengthening them into mandatory directives.”

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