Seongdong-gu Essential and Platform Workers Shelter Provides Ice Water Amid Heatwave

Rest Area Equipped with Massage Chairs and Beverage Refrigerators, 97.5% User Satisfaction in First Half Survey
Available to All Workers Needing a Break, Financial, Labor, Job, and Psychological Counseling Held Every Thursday from 2 PM to 5 PM

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced that it will provide ice-cold bottled water to essential workers and mobile workers using the 'Seongdong Essential Platform Workers Shelter' amid the ongoing heatwave.

The 'Seongdong Essential Platform Workers Shelter (Seongsuil-ro 111, Room 212)' is a space established to improve the working environment for essential and mobile workers who work while moving without a fixed workplace. It is open to anyone who needs a place to wait or rest during work, including essential workers, delivery workers, courier drivers, and city gas meter readers.

The shelter operates on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is equipped with partitioned personal rest areas furnished with massage chairs and tables, large sofas, single seats, shared rest areas with work computers, beverage refrigerators, and ice water dispensers. The building also includes a motorcycle parking lot and a smoking room.

Since its opening in July last year, the shelter has received steady positive feedback from users. According to a survey conducted in the first half of this year, 97.5% of users expressed satisfaction with the shelter's operation. Among the services provided, users were especially satisfied with the massage chairs and bottled water supply.

In addition, as the longest heatwave in history continues, the district has gathered users' opinions and started providing ice-cold bottled water from early August, receiving favorable responses from shelter users.

The shelter also operates various counseling programs led by experts in the field every Thursday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. In the first week, financial counseling programs covering finance, debt, and personal rehabilitation are offered; the second week features labor counseling programs on wage arrears and minimum wage; the third week provides job counseling programs including recruitment information and job search advice; and the fourth week offers basic mental health and psychological counseling programs. Counseling reservations can be made by visiting the shelter or through the Seongdong-gu Office website (quick reservation).

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, “We hope that the workers' shelter will become a comfortable resting place for essential and mobile workers amid the ongoing heatwave,” adding, “We will continue to make meticulous efforts to create conditions where workers can work in a more pleasant and safe environment.”