Known for its hyper-efficient and versatile delivery services, South Korea has often boasted about setting the global standard for convenience. However, new data reveals a troubling underbelly to this culture of convenience: a surge in industrial accidents and occupational illnesses among delivery workers.
Coupang Workers’ Struggle for Compensation
Recent figures presented to the National Assembly’s Environment and Labor Committee by Lee Hak-young, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, highlight the plight of workers at Coupang’s delivery subsidiary, Coupang Fulfillment Services (CFS). As of June this year, only 30% of workers’ claims for occupational illness were approved, significantly lower than the national average of 59.6%. This trend is not new; approval rates at CFS have consistently lagged behind national averages for years.
The Rising Toll of Musculoskeletal Disorders
Interestingly, the majority of occupational illness claims from CFS employees were related to musculoskeletal disorders. “To significantly improve CFS’s poor approval rates for occupational illness, it is essential to identify the root causes and adapt the work environment accordingly,” Lee advised.
A Surge in Food Delivery Accidents
The problems extend beyond Coupang. Another report disclosed a seven-fold increase in industrial accidents among food delivery workers over the past four years. While TEFL teachers living in South Korea may not order classroom supplies for delivery, many undoubtedly utilize these services for food delivery, making the findings particularly relevant.
The Need for More Accurate Data
Baemin, a popular food delivery service, accounted for nearly 64% of industrial accidents among delivery workers. Coupang and Coupang Eats trailed behind with 1,464 and 410 cases, respectively. Lee has called for these figures to be separated from the broader “quick service” category to provide a more accurate picture for policy and compensation.
A Call for Greater Transparency
The labor community is also demanding more precise statistics to better understand the specific challenges facing delivery workers. The current system, which lumps various kinds of industrial accidents into the “quick service” category, hinders effective problem-solving and preventive action.
At What Cost Does Convenience Come?
As expatriates living and working in South Korea, including TEFL teachers, continue to benefit from the country’s renowned delivery services, it is essential to consider the human cost of this convenience. The speed and efficiency we’ve come to expect in South Korea may be built on a foundation of worker struggles that remain largely invisible to the public eye. This raises the question: what is the true cost of our convenience?
