'Cargo Worker Tragedy' at CU... Refuses Negotiations Despite Yellow Envelope Law, Demands ₩200 Million in Damages

The tragic incident at the CU logistics center in Jinju, where a cargo worker died and three were injured, starkly illustrates the ongoing struggles of subcontracted labor in South Korea and the limitations of recent legislative efforts to protect them.

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The company refused negotiations seven times since January, demanding improvements in long working hours and labor safety, and then filed lawsuits for damages against 11 union members.

The death of a cargo worker and injuries to three others at a CU (operated by BGF Retail) logistics center in Jinju is a devastating outcome of a protracted labor dispute. The Cargo Workers' Union had been attempting to negotiate with BGF Retail, the parent company, regarding issues such as long working hours and safety improvements. Despite multiple requests for negotiation since January, the company allegedly refused, leading the union to initiate a strike on the 5th. The situation escalated dramatically when BGF Retail filed lawsuits seeking over 200 million won in damages against 11 striking union members. The fatal accident occurred when a replacement truck, attempting to deliver goods amidst the strike, struck union members protesting at the logistics center's rear gate.

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The government must thoroughly investigate this incident and hold those responsible accountable.

This incident raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the recently implemented 'Yellow Envelope Law' (amended Trade Union and Labor Relations Act). This law aims to hold primary employers accountable for labor disputes involving subcontractors' unions. However, the union argues that companies like BGF Retail are still finding ways to evade their responsibilities, continuing to refuse genuine negotiation. The union points to the harsh working conditions, including excessive hours (up to 70 hours per week) and unpaid 'free labor' such as sorting disposable cutlery, as evidence of the unreasonable demands placed on cargo workers.

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Is it an unreasonable demand to ask for improvements in working conditions, such as sorting disposable cutlery for convenience stores or working up to 70 hours a week?

From the perspective of Hankyoreh, which often champions labor rights, the article frames this tragedy as a direct consequence of corporate intransigence and the persistent loopholes in labor law enforcement. The fact that the accident occurred while police were present to manage the protest highlights the tense and volatile environment. The article emphasizes that cargo workers, often classified as 'self-employed individuals' or 'special employment workers,' operate in a legal gray area, making it difficult to establish direct employer-employee relationships and secure labor rights. The company's stance, that they cannot negotiate until their 'employer status' is legally confirmed, further exacerbates the conflict, leaving workers in a precarious position. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable workers in South Korea's complex supply chains.

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We cannot engage in negotiations until our employer status is legally determined by the labor committee or the courts.