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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Coupang's special employment delivery drivers are suffering from an average of 9.5 hours of night shifts daily, facing considerable discrepancies in working conditions compared to directly employed workers. This was revealed through the first survey conducted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor between October and November last year, which involved 1,160 delivery drivers and 1,525 helpers working during early morning hours at Coupang.
According to a report obtained by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Ju-young from the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, there is a significant difference in working conditions between directly employed workers and special employment drivers (special workers or quick flexers).
The survey results revealed that special employment drivers work longer hours, handle more deliveries, and continue working in harsh weather conditions compared to their directly employed counterparts.
Out of the respondents, 66.1% (767) were special employment workers, while 33.9% (393) were directly employed. Special employment workers worked an average of 5.5 days per week and 23.2 days per month, while directly employed workers worked an average of 4.5 days per week and 17.9 days per month.
Both groups had an average daily work time of 9 hours and 32 minutes, but special employment workers were responsible for more deliveries. A significant portion (76.8%) of special employment drivers handled three shifts, and 76.4% processed more than 250 items per day, compared to just 12.4% of directly employed workers.
There was also a difference in waiting times before receiving goods. Special employment drivers had to wait for an average of 1 hour and 22 minutes, which is 28 minutes longer than directly employed drivers.
The main causes for the longer waiting times were delays in the arrival of main vehicles (73%), insufficient sorting personnel (40.4%), and a lack of camp space (19.9%).
A particularly large gap was noted when it came to working in bad weather conditions. 77% of special employment workers continued deliveries in heavy rain, snow, and other severe weather, while only 42.3% of directly employed workers did the same.
This suggests that special employment workers are more exposed to the risks of industrial accidents, such as traffic accidents and injuries during deliveries.
The survey also showed a stark contrast in job security based on employment type, especially when it came to penalties for failing to complete deliveries. 48.6% of special employment workers reported that they face penalties, while 96.9% of directly employed workers said they do not.
These penalties can result in contract terminations or delivery zone adjustments, putting significant psychological pressure on special employment drivers.
Kim Ju-young commented, “On average, quick flexer drivers work 9.5 hours a day, 23 days a month, without rest, delivering three shifts at night. Even the healthiest person cannot endure such a work environment.”
He emphasized, “It is now clear that early morning deliveries and night shifts are key causes of overwork-related deaths, and since such deaths continue to occur, stricter regulations on working hours and rest periods for night work are needed.”
The findings of this survey clearly show the poor working conditions faced by special employment delivery drivers and the stark disparity in conditions between them and directly employed workers. This highlights the need for institutional reforms to improve labor conditions and protect workers' rights in the platform economy era.
Alphabiz 김영택 기자(sitory0103@alphabiz.co.kr)
