Seoul Shelter for Gig Workers to Close Amidst Heatwave Due to Reconstruction

A crucial shelter for mobile workers in Seoul, the Hyo Seoul Mobile Worker's Bukchang Shelter, is set to close on August 13. The closure is due to the building's reconstruction, leaving delivery riders and other gig economy workers without a place to rest during the peak of summer heat.

The shelter, located near City Hall Station, served an average of 100 people daily during extreme weather. Workers received amenities like ice water and cooling towels in the summer, and hot packs in the winter. However, with the building owner's eviction notice issued in December, the Seoul Metropolitan Government failed to secure relocation funds in the initial budget.

While the city included relocation funds in a supplementary budget in April, it was excluded to prioritize high inflation. Although a second supplementary budget now includes the funds, securing and opening a new space is expected to take at least one to two months. This delay means a significant gap in services for mobile workers during the hottest part of the year.

“

We were looking for the next building ourselves and even hired interior designers, but only learned in late July that it was difficult to proceed due to budget issues. It's regrettable that we have to close in the middle of the hottest summer days.

The Seoul Labor Rights Center, which operates the shelter under a contract with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, expressed disappointment with the city's slow response. "We were looking for the next building ourselves and even hired interior designers, but only learned in late July that it was difficult to proceed due to budget issues," an official said. "It's regrettable that we have to close in the middle of the hottest summer days."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to redirect users to the Jonggak Station shelter or the Jeon Tae-il Memorial Hall shelter in Jongno-gu. "As soon as the supplementary budget is passed, we will secure a new space as quickly as possible to minimize inconvenience for users," a city official stated.

“

As soon as the supplementary budget is passed, we will secure a new space as quickly as possible to minimize inconvenience for users.