"Working 60 Hours a Week... Coupang Worker's Death Is a Clear Case of Overwork"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The delivery workers' union has urged Coupang to establish measures to prevent recurrence and apologize to the bereaved family regarding the death of the late Jang Deok-jun (27), who worked at Coupang's logistics center and was found dead at home after his shift.

The Delivery Workers Overwork Death Countermeasures Committee held a press conference on the 22nd in front of Coupang headquarters in Songpa-gu, Seoul, stating, "At 6 a.m. on October 12, a 27-year-old young man working at Coupang Chilgok Logistics Center passed away," adding, "The brutal night shifts took away not only Jang Deok-jun's dream of becoming a full-time employee but also his family's happiness."

The committee said, "Due to night shifts, part-time work, and express delivery, Coupang's workers are dying one after another," and emphasized, "Such incidents must never happen again, and we urge Coupang to implement measures to prevent recurrence."

They continued, "Instead of apologizing, Coupang stated that it was 'not an overwork death,'" stressing, "The deceased had worked night shifts 5 to 6 days a week for three months prior to his death, which is a significant contributing factor to overwork death."

The committee claimed that Jang had worked at Coupang's logistics center for about a year, and after reviewing his work logs for 12 weeks from July until his death, he had worked night shifts 5 to 6 days a week and had worked over 60 hours per week for more than 4 weeks.