Coupang Expressed Condolences Over 'Delivery Driver Death' But... "Working Hours Are at a Low Level"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Online shopping mall Coupang expressed "deep condolences and sympathy" regarding the death of employee Mr. Lee (48), who was in charge of late-night and early-morning deliveries, and stated, "We will actively cooperate with the procedure to confirm the cause of death." However, the company suggested that Mr. Lee was not suffering from excessive workload.

On the 8th, Coupang released a statement regarding the delivery worker's death, saying, "We express our deep condolences and sympathy to the deceased and the bereaved family," and "The company will actively cooperate with the procedure to confirm the cause of death and will spare no effort to support the bereaved family to ease their pain."

However, Coupang refuted claims that the cause of death was 'overwork,' citing that Mr. Lee had been on leave for a week before his death and his usual number of working days.

In the statement, Coupang explained, "The deceased had not been working for seven days due to vacation and leave after his last work on February 24, and was scheduled to return on the 4th." It added, "Over the past 12 weeks, the deceased's average working days were about four days per week, and the working hours were about 40 hours."

It further stated, "This is significantly lower compared to the average of six days and 71 hours per week reported in the delivery workers' overwork death countermeasure committee's survey last year," and "It is also lower than the 60 hours per week recommended by the social agreement body for delivery workers' overwork death countermeasures."

Finally, Coupang requested, "Please refrain from making premature judgments or one-sided claims about the unfortunate death," and added, "Coupang will make greater efforts to thoroughly protect the health and safety of its workers."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the Delivery Solidarity Union announced that Mr. Lee, who was responsible for late-night and early-morning deliveries at Coupang Songpa 1 Camp, had passed away. On the afternoon of the 6th, police responded to a report from his spouse that they could not contact Mr. Lee and found him at a goshiwon (small lodging) in Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Mr. Lee joined Coupang last year as a contract worker and was later converted to a regular employee. It was reported that he frequently expressed to his spouse the difficulties of working late-night shifts.

The union stated, "The deceased's monthly wage was 2.8 million won, which is just above the minimum wage considering he was exclusively responsible for late-night work."

The Korea Federation of Trade Unions Delivery Industry Headquarters issued a statement on the 8th urging the government authorities to promptly prepare measures to ensure delivery workers' safety and prevent overwork.

The federation criticized, "Coupang's excessive late-night and early-morning deliveries are encouraging overwork among delivery workers," and added, "Especially at a time when society relies on delivery workers due to COVID-19, they are being overworked with treatment barely above the minimum wage instead of being protected."