Union blames Coupang fire on cost-cutting, 'mezzanine' design

A major fire at a Coupang logistics center in Incheon, South Korea, has prompted criticism from a labor union regarding the building's design and the company's safety protocols.

The fire, which started on the sixth floor of the 8-story building in Seoknam-dong, has been burning for over 24 hours. Firefighters are struggling to contain the blaze due to the large volume of flammable materials inside the facility.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' logistics center branch accused Coupang of constructing the facility with a fire-prone 'mezzanine' structure to cut costs. They stated that this design, which creates an intermediate level within a floor, is susceptible to fire and hinders initial suppression efforts. The union pointed out that a similar structural issue was identified following a fatal fire at Coupang's Deokpyeong logistics center in June 2021.

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Coupang actively utilized this structure for cost savings, despite it being vulnerable to fire and difficult for initial suppression, and it is illegal to use as a workspace under building codes.

Furthermore, the union alleged that Coupang failed to provide adequate protective measures for its workers. Reports suggest that employees were only notified late on the day of the fire to report to other logistics centers to minimize disruptions to Rocket Delivery services, rather than being offered proper safety support.

The union urged the government to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire and implement preventative measures. They also called on Coupang to provide support, including paid leave and job reassignment, to affected workers and to incorporate their input into safety planning.

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Coupang is furious about Coupang's response, which prioritizes Rocket Delivery over worker safety.