The government has launched joint surprise inspections targeting five major logistics companies, including Coupang and CJ Logistics, to enhance the safety of courier workers and improve unfair transaction practices.
According to related agencies on the 6th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Fair Trade Commission announced that they would conduct joint inspections of five major courier companies, including Coupang Logistics Service, CJ Logistics, LOTTE Global Logistics, Hanjin, and Logen, by the 14th.
This inspection was established to prevent heat-related illnesses among courier workers due to extreme heat and to rectify the unfair subcontracting agreements that are causing excessive work burdens.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will directly examine logistics bases to verify protective measures for workers, while the Fair Trade Commission will focus on inspecting the fairness of transactions between headquarters and agencies.
The Ministry of Labor plans to closely observe whether the 'five basic rules for heat safety' are being implemented on-site. Key items include providing cool water, installing air conditioning, allowing breaks of more than 20 minutes every two hours, wearing cooling gear, and securing a 119 emergency reporting system. In particular, it will also check if local cooling facilities and rest areas have been established at sub hubs and delivery camps where loading and unloading docks are located.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will check whether the social agreement established in June 2021 to protect courier workers is being fulfilled. This agreement includes ▲principally excluding sorting work ▲expanding enrollment in employment and workers' compensation insurance ▲adhering to a working time of 60 hours per week and 12 hours per day, among other things. In addition, it will also investigate the availability of driving spaces and docking facilities for vehicles, ensuring break times, and the operational status of rest facilities.
The Fair Trade Commission will focus on whether unfair subcontracting practices still exist. It will specifically inspect whether there are unjust provisions in contracts that shift industrial accident expenses to agents or workers, or set excessive quantity targets that lead to contract termination if not met. Additionally, practices such as unpaid subcontracting fees or unjust deductions will also be subjects of the investigation.
The government plans to closely grasp the actual conditions in the field through this joint investigation and proceed with institutional improvements and follow-up measures if necessary.