Seoul City’s 'Visiting Shelter in Cold Wave' Serves Over 4,700 People... Extended Operation Until February

Seoul City announced on the 2nd that a total of about 4,700 people visited the ‘Visiting Mobile Workers’ Shelter’ operated from November 27 to December 29 last year to guarantee the right to rest for mobile workers such as delivery riders, quick service workers, and designated drivers. Reflecting the sudden cold wave this winter and the high response from mobile workers, the city decided to extend the operation until the 8th of next month.

The ‘Visiting Mobile Workers’ Shelter’ operated by circulating around about 30 locations where mobile workers mainly work, such as in front of Gwanghwamun Donghwa Duty-Free Shop and Seoul Express Bus Terminal, by converting four camping cars equipped with sofas and tables.

In particular, last year, the main users were expanded from existing delivery riders and quick service workers to designated drivers, and the shelter was operated in a customized way reflecting the main activity times and areas by industry. As a result, about 4,700 people used the Visiting Mobile Workers’ Shelter, nearly double the 2,510 users in 2022.

As the recent cold wave continues, the response from users to the shelter is high, and the number of users is increasing, so the city decided to extend the operation of the Visiting Mobile Workers’ Shelter until February 8. The operation of the ‘Visiting Mobile Workers’ Shelter’ is entrusted to the Seoul Labor Rights Center. Established in 2015, the Seoul Labor Rights Center is an institution that protects and supports the rights of vulnerable workers, including worker counseling, rights protection, and labor education. Since this year, the ‘Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Seoul Regional Headquarters’ has been entrusted by Seoul City to operate it.

Currently, in addition to the Visiting Mobile Workers’ Shelter, Seoul City also operates five base-type (fixed) shelters called ‘Rest (休) Seoul Workers’ Shelter’ in Seocho, Bukchang, Hapjeong, Sangam, and Nokbeon to guarantee the right of mobile workers to rest safely.

Jo Wan-seok, Seoul City’s Labor Policy Officer, said, “Mobile workers are vulnerable workers, and we hope the shelters will help improve the right to rest for Seoul’s mobile workers,” adding, “We will strive to protect the health and rest rights of mobile workers by preparing various labor environment improvement measures, including shelters.”

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