Worker Deaths Highlight Concerns Over Coupang’s Overnight Delivery ServiceWorker Deaths Highlight Concerns Over Coupang’s Overnight Delivery Service The recent launch of Coupang’s overnight Rocket Delivery service on Jeju Island has been marred by tragedy, with the deaths of two workers prompting labor unions to demand an investigation and stricter oversight. On July 29, the Jeju branch of the Korea Trade Union Federation (KCTU) held a press conference, calling for an investigation into the deaths and special labor inspections at Coupang’s logistics center in Aewol-eup, Jeju City. The KCTU alleged that a man in his 50s, identified as Mr. A, collapsed while sorting packages at the center on July 18. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead. Mr. A had reportedly worked as a day laborer since May and started his shift at 7 am that day. In a separate incident on the same day, a delivery driver, Mr. B, was found unconscious in his truck at 1:40 am, suffering from a brain hemorrhage after his vehicle hit a power pole. The KCTU noted that both incidents occurred within a week after Coupang launched its overnight Rocket Delivery service on Jeju Island. Union spokesperson emphasized the long working hours, intensive labor, and poor working conditions faced by Coupang workers. They also expressed concerns about the potential impact of hot and humid weather on worker safety, highlighting that temperatures at the time of the fatal accident were approaching 34 degrees Celsius. The KCTU has urged Coupang to take responsibility by disclosing details of the working environment, investigating the circumstances of the accidents, and taking measures to protect workers. The union has also called on the Ministry of Labor and Employment to issue a work stoppage order for Coupang’s logistics center and night delivery operations and to carry out special labor inspections. The deaths of Mr. A and Mr. B have sparked outrage and concerns about the working conditions at Coupang. The KCTU’s demands for an investigation and stricter oversight are expected to put pressure on the company and the authorities to address the safety and well-being of its workers.
On July 29, the Jeju branch of the Korean Trade Union Federation (KCTU) held a press conference outside the Coupang logistics center in Aewol-eup, Jeju City, calling for an investigation into recent worker deaths and special labor inspections. (Photo courtesy of Yonhap)
JEJU, July 30 (Korea Bizwire) – The recent launch of Coupang’s overnight Rocket Delivery service on Jeju Island was overshadowed by tragedy, prompting unions to demand a thorough investigation and greater oversight of working conditions.
On July 29, the Jeju branch of the Korea Trade Union Federation (KCTU) held a press conference outside the Coupang logistics center in Aewol-eup, Jeju City, calling for an investigation into recent worker deaths and special labor inspections.
According to the KCTU, a man in his 50s, identified only as Mr. A, collapsed at around 7:50 a.m. on July 18 while sorting packages at the Coupang logistics center.
Despite being rushed to hospital by emergency services, he was pronounced dead. Mr. A had been working as a day laborer since May and had started his shift at 7am on the day of the incident.
In another incident on the same day, a delivery driver, Mr B, was found unconscious in his truck at 1:40am, suffering from a brain haemorrhage after his vehicle hit a power pole.
The KCTU pointed out that both incidents occurred within a week after Coupang launched its overnight Rocket Delivery service on Jeju Island.
At the press conference, a KCTU spokesperson said: “Coupang workers complain that they don’t even have a minute or second of break. We wonder if the long hours, intensive labor and poor working conditions are driving the workers to their death.”
The union also highlighted the potential impact of weather conditions on worker safety.
“On the day of the fatal accident, temperatures in Aewol-eup, where the logistics center is located, were approaching 34 degrees Celsius. The temperature in the center was probably even higher,” the spokesman said.
“There is a strong possibility that this death was an accident, caused by the hot, humid environment and the unbearable intensity of the work.”
The KCTU has called on Coupang to take responsibility for the incidents by disclosing details of the working environment, investigating the circumstances of the accidents and taking measures to protect workers.
In addition, the union has called on the Ministry of Labor and Employment to issue a work stoppage order for Coupang’s logistics center and night delivery operations and to carry out special labor inspections.
MH Lee ([email protected])
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