KEF: "Guaranteeing Industry Autonomy Is More Important Than Unilateral Regulation on Early Morning Delivery"

Korean Society of Supply Chain Management Study Commissioned

There have been growing calls to ban early morning delivery services, but some argue that, given the nature of the global e-commerce industry, it is more important to guarantee the industry's autonomy rather than impose unilateral regulations.

The Korea Employers Federation commissioned the Korean Society of Supply Chain Management to conduct a study titled "Analysis of Overseas E-commerce Business and Regulatory Trends," aiming to suggest policy improvements for domestic delivery workers amid intensifying competition in global e-commerce delivery services. The results were announced on the 28th.

Yonhap News Agency

According to the study, leading global e-commerce companies are offering not only night and early morning delivery but also ultra-fast delivery services as part of their innovative service strategies. Amazon in the United States operates same-day, night, and early morning delivery services for certain regions and products, while Alibaba in China provides night and early morning delivery, as well as one-hour delivery services in select areas.

E-commerce companies have established delivery systems centered on independent contractors, enabling flexible service across various time slots, including nights, weekends, and early mornings. Delivery workers also tend to prefer working as independent contractors, as it allows them to choose their working hours and locations.

The academic society also found that, compared to major overseas countries, South Korea has a relatively advanced institutional framework for social safety nets such as workers' compensation insurance, employment insurance, and health management support for delivery workers. The country also has well-established related policies and implementation systems. In contrast, in countries like the United States, Germany, and China, delivery workers operating as independent contractors generally have the option to enroll in social insurance programs voluntarily.

Lee Cheolwoong, Professor of Industrial Management Engineering at Korea University and the lead researcher for the study, stated, "The current Korean system for delivery workers is a hybrid structure that ensures flexible responses to delivery demand and allows workers to choose their working style autonomously, while also operating a social safety net for worker protection. This approach is similar to the direction pursued by the global e-commerce industry, which values autonomy and speed, and it does not undermine the labor rights of Korean delivery workers."

He further suggested, "Considering the characteristics of the industry and the rapid changes in demand, it would be more practical and sustainable to strike a balanced harmony between guaranteeing industry autonomy and protecting workers, rather than unilaterally strengthening regulations."

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