On October 27th, about 250 delivery workers of Lotte delivery service declared a strike, demanding better treatment by the courier. Earlier on October 20th, a delivery service worker at CJ Logistics died while resting at the Konjiam Herb Terminal. On October 12th, a Hanjin delivery service worker died of overwork after texting his colleague that his work was too hard. A total of four people died in October, including the death of a CJ Logistics courier on October 8th. With 13 deliverymen dead this year, the poor working conditions of delivery service workers are in the spotlight. Focusing on three problems, the unreasonable working environment of the delivery workers is a pressing issue.

 First, the classification work of delivery service workers without reasonable remuneration is a problem. Usually, the delivery service workers were in charge of classifying and shipping the goods they were going to deliver on that day in the order of delivery. Classification work refers to the work of putting the delivery boxes that were transferred to sub-terminals into vehicles. However, since delivery service workers are classified as the special type workers who can’t be paid for the classification work, they only receive wages from the delivery part of their job. Lee Jae-Won (34, Certificated Public Labor Attorney) said, "The labor law applies only to workers, but the delivery service workers work as  self-employed, therefore there is no pay for the classification work. I think it is unfair to work without pay. However, it is hard for them to get help from the labor law.”

Second, Gapjil over delivery service workers is the problem. Gapjil is an expression referring to an arrogant and authoritarian attitude or actions of people who have positions of power over others. Delivery service workers can also be victims of Gapjil. According to the survey held by the National Delivery Worker Union, 58% of delivery service workers have suffered abusive language from customers. An anonymous delivery worker said, "Some customers use abusive language when the delivery is delayed. Also, there are cases where people ask for compensation for not receiving the product even though they received it, and there are customers who threaten us. That is very stressful. However, there is no agency for asking for help when we are abused by the customers." In addition, delivery service workers sign contracts with delivery service agents and set their own areas to work, which could lead to them being victims of Gapjil by these agents. In fact, on October 20th, a delivery service worker died because of the Gapjil from the agents. His suffering was written in the will that he could not leave the company unless he found an alternative worker. Also, he had an unfair contract in which the agency get a certain portion of the commission per shipment and he also suffered from abusive language by the agency. As such, power abuse against courier is rampant.

           Third, the small number of delivery service worker per delivery agent is the problem. The delivery service market is increasing every year. According to the Korea Integrated Logistics Association, the amount of the delivery service has increased by more than 10% over the past five years, with 2.79 billion boxes shipped last year. In particular, CJ logistics, which accounts for more than half of the domestic delivery market share this year, has seen its shipping parcel amount rising 27% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to last year. Delivery service workers have to deliver all parcels allocated to them, however generally, the number of delivery service workers deployed per agency office is not enough to prevent them from overworking. Han Nam-Ki (Delivery service worker, CJ logistics) said, "Currently, most delivery service workers are indirectly employed by delivery agents. As a result, delivery service workers at agencies with insufficient personnel cannot avoid overwork in handling their packages. Also, delivery service workers are receiving a fee per delivery. To make a living for a delivery service worker, he usually has to deliver 5,000 parcels a month per person."

           Suh Yong-Gu (Prof. of Business Administration, Sookmyung Women's University) said, "The problems of delivery service workers are difficult to solve. We treat the delivery service workers as machines and take delivery services for granted. Customers, delivery companies and the government should pay a lot of attention to the treatment of delivery service workers and improve their treatment."

By Lee Dong-Kyu, Reporter

goldenegg@pusan.ac.kr