Delivery Workers Demand Equal Holiday Rights on Labor Day

The National Union of Delivery Workers is raising its voice to ensure that Labor Day, now a statutory public holiday, is truly a day of rest for all workers, including those in the gig economy. Their protest outside the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office highlights a persistent issue: the exclusion of delivery workers from holiday benefits by many courier companies.

Union leader Kim Kwang-seok expressed strong dissatisfaction, stating that demands for hub operations to halt and for the day to be designated a holiday were met with refusal by the companies. This stance is seen as a direct disregard for the health and rest rights of delivery personnel, who often work under intense pressure and long hours.

The union's message is clear: discrimination based on employment type must end. They are calling on the government to take responsible measures to ensure equitable treatment for all laborers. The threat of further industrial action, including a potential strike during the summer months, underscores the seriousness of their demands and their determination to achieve recognition and fair treatment.

This fight for holiday recognition is not just about a single day off; it represents a broader struggle for the rights and dignity of precarious workers. From the perspective of the union and its members, ensuring that Labor Day is a genuine holiday for delivery workers is a crucial step towards achieving a more just and equitable labor environment in South Korea.

“

We strongly demanded that hub operations be suspended and Labor Day be designated as a holiday, but we only received the response that 'normal delivery will proceed'.