Work Uniforms Laundered for 1,000 Won... Incheon City Opens "Thousand Won Laundry"

The "Thousand Won Laundry," a service that launders work uniforms for workers at small businesses for just 1,000 won, has opened in Incheon.

On the 28th, Incheon City held an opening ceremony for the Thousand Won Laundry at Beautiful Park (formerly Geomdan Industrial Complex) in Seo-gu and began a pilot operation.

The service is available to business owners and employees at workplaces with fewer than 50 regular employees. The laundry cost is 1,000 won per winter uniform and 500 won per spring or autumn uniform. A dedicated vehicle regularly visits workplaces to collect contaminated work uniforms, which are then washed and delivered back to the business.

Thousand Won Laundry. Provided by Incheon City

원본보기 아이콘

The Thousand Won Laundry project was launched to address the difficulties faced by workers at small businesses who found it challenging to use regular laundries due to heavy contamination of their work uniforms with oil stains and metal dust, and who also risked their families' health by washing these uniforms at home. According to a survey conducted by Incheon City last year, 7 out of 10 workers (69.5%) in local industrial complexes reported washing their contaminated work uniforms at home.

The city explained that this project is significant as it represents a "productive welfare" model that combines labor welfare and job creation for vulnerable groups. By securing laundry staff through a government-funded self-support work program, the city is able to reduce financial burdens while also providing stable jobs for low-income individuals.

The city plans to expand the Thousand Won Laundry service citywide, starting with a pilot program in Seo-gu (including Geomdan) and Gyeyang-gu until the end of June, and opening a branch at the Namdong Workers' Comprehensive Welfare Center in July.

An official from Incheon City stated, "We expect this will ease the burden on workers who have had to wash contaminated work uniforms at home," adding, "We will continue to develop and expand labor welfare policies that can be directly felt in the field."

Ha Byungpil, Deputy Mayor of Incheon, is inspecting the laundry facilities at the "Cheonwon Laundry Opening Ceremony" held on the 28th at Beautiful Park in Seo-gu, Incheon. Provided by Incheon City

원본보기 아이콘

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.