"Let's Prevent Illegal Employment of Foreign Delivery Workers"... Seoul Opens Dedicated Consultation and Reporting Center

Fourfold Increase in Illegal Employment of Foreigners in Delivery and Courier Sectors
Utilizing Seoul Labor Rights Center and Dasan Call Center
"Plans to Develop Institutional Improvements and Countermeasures"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will operate a dedicated consultation and reporting support center to prevent illegal employment among foreign delivery riders.

A delivery rider is preparing for a delivery in front of a restaurant in downtown Seoul. Unrelated to the article. Yonhap News.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of foreign nationals caught illegally working in the delivery and courier sectors over the past three years rose more than fourfold, from 117 in 2023 to 486 last year.

After assessing on-site conditions, the city determined that, in addition to enforcement-focused measures, it is necessary to strengthen consultation and guidance functions, and has decided to establish a response system accordingly.

To this end, Seoul Labor Rights Center and the 120 Dasan Call Center will provide dedicated consultation and reporting support services related to the illegal employment of foreign delivery riders.

At the Seoul Labor Rights Center, professionals such as full-time labor attorneys will offer consultation on a wide range of topics, including visa categories that allow employment in the delivery sector, reporting methods and procedures, reporting channels for specific cases such as illegal employment or identity theft, and regulations on penalties for violations. General inquiries can also be handled via the 120 Dasan Call Center.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to analyze consultation and reporting cases to identify the root causes of illegal employment and, based on these findings, develop fundamental countermeasures such as institutional improvements.

Furthermore, as part of institutional reinforcement, the city has recommended that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport introduce a registration system for small parcel delivery service providers. It has also asked food delivery order intermediary platforms (such as Baemin and Coupang Eats) and delivery agency platforms (such as Saenggakdaero, Barogo, and Vroong) to strengthen verification of foreign delivery workers’ qualifications and enhance account management.

In addition to measures against illegal activities, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is also pursuing policies to improve the safety and working conditions of delivery riders. In cooperation with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, the city will introduce new safety training programs for delivery riders and provide safety equipment to those who complete the training.

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