Government and Seven Delivery Platforms to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses Among Riders and Provide Various Rest Areas

Cooperation to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses Among Delivery Workers
Supporting On-Site Compliance with the Five Major Heatwave Safety Guidelines

As record-breaking heatwaves increase the risk of heat-related illnesses among delivery workers who work outdoors, the government, public institutions, and delivery platform companies have come together to discuss countermeasures. They have agreed to support the enforcement of the five major heatwave safety guidelines for delivery workers and to provide a variety of rest areas where these workers can take breaks.

Delivery riders at the intersection of Gangnam Station in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On August 8, the Ministry of Employment and Labor held a "Declaration Ceremony for Cooperation on Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses Among Delivery Workers" at the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office. The event was attended by Vice Minister Kwon Changjun of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, representatives from seven delivery platform operators including Woowa Brothers Youth, Coupang Eats Service, Vroong, and Barogo, as well as the Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association, the Korea Labor Foundation, and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency. The participants announced their plans and a declaration statement regarding the prevention of heat-related illnesses among delivery workers.

The declaration included a pledge that "we all recognize that the lives and health of workers are the highest priority, and we will join forces and do our utmost to prevent heat-related illnesses among delivery workers." Vice Minister Kwon emphasized, "In the midst of unprecedented heatwaves, not only platform operators but also organizations that protect workers' rights, as well as the government and public institutions, must all do their best to protect the safety and health of delivery workers."

Going forward, the government and platform operators will ensure that delivery workers are provided with ample cold water and are informed about weather conditions, rest area locations, and the importance of taking breaks, so that the five major heatwave safety guidelines can be observed in the field. While platform operators have previously provided cold water or beverages mainly in urban areas, they will now expand support to non-urban areas as well, offering not only cold water but also cooling gear and related items.

Various types of rest areas will also be provided so that delivery workers can escape the heat and take breaks. The Korea Labor Foundation will open ten Worker Connection Centers as mobile worker rest areas. Operators such as Woowa Brothers Youth and Coupang Eats Service will make convenience stores and maintenance centers available as rest areas for mobile workers.

The "Our Neighborhood Safety Keeper" program, which allows delivery workers to contribute to their communities while working, will also be expanded. The Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association will broaden existing safety keeper activities, such as reporting hazardous road conditions, to include reporting suspected drunk driving, fires and emergencies, and missing persons, thereby strengthening overall crime prevention efforts. The Korea Labor Foundation and the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency will provide education on how to report criminal incidents and will support related budgets.