Incheon Airport Security Screeners Denied Required Rest Breaks

Security screeners at Incheon International Airport are reportedly not receiving legally mandated rest breaks during their X-ray baggage inspection duties, raising concerns about worker fatigue and potential safety lapses. A 40-something screener, identified as 'A,' told Hankyoreh that they have worked up to 1 hour and 30 minutes continuously on X-ray analysis during busy periods.

"When there are many airport passengers, we are put to work without rest," A said. "Airport security work may seem easy, but it requires high skill. Continuous concentration is necessary, so ensuring adequate rest time is essential." The work involves meticulously examining X-ray images for dangerous items, a task directly linked to passenger safety.

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When there are many airport passengers, we are put to work without rest.

According to national aviation security plans and Incheon Airport's operational procedures, security screeners should not exceed 30 minutes of continuous work on X-ray equipment. Even with enhanced equipment that automatically detects suspicious items, the maximum continuous duty is set at 45 minutes. However, screeners frequently report not receiving breaks even after this period.

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Airport security work may seem easy, but it requires high skill. Continuous concentration is necessary, so ensuring adequate rest time is essential.

To circumvent regulations, some screeners, like a 30-something identified as 'B,' admit to having colleagues cover their shifts or using other X-ray machines to avoid logging excessive continuous work. "You can't write down that you worked more than 45 minutes on the work log," B explained. "In that case, you put down another person's name and do the reading work."

The union attributes these extended work hours to a company culture that prioritizes minimizing passenger wait times, leading to frequent complaints. With Incheon Airport's passenger numbers surging, especially this year where it ranked first globally for international passenger volume, the pressure on screeners has intensified. The Incheon Security Screening Integrated Union held a press conference demanding an investigation into the X-ray reading work and the implementation of improvement measures by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration, and Incheon International Airport Corporation. They argue that insufficient staffing has consistently led to exceeding maximum reading times, making proper rotation and rest difficult.

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You can't write down that you worked more than 45 minutes on the work log. In that case, you put down another person's name and do the reading work.