Dobong-gu Leads Efforts to Protect Platform Workers' Rights

Established Support Policy Foundation Through Full Revision of Related Ordinance in November Last Year
Safety Training for Delivery Workers, Employment Insurance Premium Refund Support, Yellow Umbrella Mutual Aid Fund Subsidies, etc.

The labor market is undergoing rapid changes due to industrial transformation, such as changes in working methods and the spread of the digital economy.

The number of platform workers and the size of the data industry market are also increasing significantly. However, it is still true that there are blind spots in labor welfare depending on the type of employment.

Recognizing these issues, the Dobong-gu District Office in Seoul fully revised the ordinance on the protection and support of platform workers' rights last November. The ordinance defines the support targets and support projects, establishing a foundation for supporting platform workers.

Earlier this year, the district also established the "2024 Basic Plan for the Protection and Support of Platform Workers' Rights," which includes systematic support measures for platform workers.

A district official stated, “Social protection issues for platform workers are emerging. It is now time for local governments to step up and provide protection.”

Starting this year, the district will conduct safety education for delivery platform workers. This safety training is designed to prevent accidents in advance by tailoring the education to the characteristics of the workers.

The training will be held throughout the year at the Dobong-gu Mobile Workers’ Rest Area. The education program will consist of customized training based on preliminary surveys and training linked with the local police station.

To ensure the livelihood stability and employment security of delivery platform workers, the district will continue the employment insurance premium support project as it did last year. This project supports 50% of the paid employment insurance premiums. Platform workers who submit supporting documents will receive subsidies after document review by the district office.

The district also supports enrollment in the Small Business Yellow Umbrella Mutual Aid, which helps stabilize the livelihoods of platform workers and small business owners. The support targets small business owners located in Dobong-gu with annual sales of 300 million KRW or less who newly enroll after January 2024. Regardless of the mutual aid contribution amount, the district will subsidize 10,000 KRW per month, totaling 120,000 KRW annually.

The operation of the “Dobong-gu Mobile Workers’ Rest Area,” a resting space for mobile workers, will continue. Located at the 6th floor of the Dagachi Center under Dobong Station, the rest area is equipped with massage chairs, foot massagers, computers, fax multifunction devices, and motorcycle maintenance tools. It operates on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is available to any mobile workers, such as delivery and courier workers, who need a place to wait or rest during work.

Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “We will continue to do our best to solve the problems faced by platform workers and ensure their safety and welfare.”