[Editorial] Delivery, installation workers in heatwave work stoppage blind spot need urgent protection

Record-breaking heatwaves have taken a toll on delivery drivers, with multiple Coupang delivery personnel collapsing from heatstroke. The incidents highlight a critical issue: the structural pressures within Coupang's operations that exacerbate the risks faced by its drivers.

The National Union of Delivery Workers reported that two drivers from Seoul's Seocho and Songpa camps collapsed due to heat exhaustion on August 4th. Another driver fell ill during deliveries on August 6th. Coupang, however, dismissed these incidents as mere personal health issues, stating the driver received medical attention after experiencing dizziness. The company claims it followed heatwave safety protocols by reporting the incident to emergency services.

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The company claims it followed heatwave safety protocols by reporting the incident to emergency services.

However, the union argues that the core problem lies in Coupang's decision to extend its same-day delivery order deadlines by two hours, to 2 a.m. and 12 p.m. This change has led to a greater volume of packages within the existing logistics network, intensifying the workload for drivers. Compounding the issue, delivery end times remain unchanged at 8 p.m., and drivers are reportedly burdened with additional package sorting tasks due to delayed dispatches.

A significant point of contention is that Coupang drivers are not classified as 'workers,' placing them in a legal blind spot regarding the right to halt work during hazardous conditions, a protection mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In contrast, CJ Logistics offers a similar work-stoppage system, allowing drivers to pause deliveries without penalty for delays. Recent temperature measurements taken by the union at various Coupang delivery camps revealed extreme heat, with 68 out of 79 measurements exceeding 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit), and 10 readings surpassing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Current regulations stipulate measures like cooling, ventilation, and rest breaks when the perceived temperature exceeds 31 degrees Celsius.

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The union blames Coupang's structural issues, specifically extending customer order deadlines, which increases drivers' workload without adjusting delivery end times.