Delivery Worker Death... Task Force Claims 'Death from Overwork,' Coupang Says "Not True"

Work History of 44 Hours per Week in the Last 3 Months

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] Amid the surge in workload in the delivery industry due to the domestic COVID-19 pandemic, a worker has died. The Delivery Workers' Overwork Death Countermeasures Committee (the Committee) claimed it was an "overwork death caused by excessive sorting work," but Coupang, where the worker was employed, denied the claim, stating it was not true.

According to the Committee on the 16th, a day laborer in his 20s, Mr. A, who worked at Coupang's logistics center in Chilgok, Gyeongbuk, was found dead at home around 6 a.m. on the 12th. The Committee explained that Mr. A had no underlying health conditions and did not drink or smoke. Based on this, the Committee raised the possibility of overwork death due to excessive sorting work.

However, Coupang stated, "We deeply regret the death of the deceased," and clarified, "The deceased was responsible for support tasks such as supplying plastic and empty cardboard boxes, unrelated to sorting work." They accused the Committee of distorting the facts. Coupang also denied the Committee's claim that they requested a change of workplace due to increased workload from COVID-19, explaining that short-term workers at Coupang's logistics centers can apply for and selectively choose their preferred tasks.

Coupang also refuted the Committee's assertion that the increased volume after COVID-19 led to overwork due to a shortage of personnel. A Coupang official said, "At the logistics center, employees work 52 hours per week, just like delivery staff," adding, "Even short-term employees are monitored during work support stages to ensure they do not exceed 52 hours per week." Due to the nature of Coupang logistics center operations running in three shifts, the 8-hour work and 1-hour break schedule is strictly observed, making long overtime difficult. Coupang added that the deceased's average weekly working hours over the past three months were 44 hours.