On the National Assembly Petition Board:
"Please Prevent the Ban on Early Morning Delivery"
In response to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) demanding restrictions on early morning delivery services, a working mother has submitted a national petition urging the government to prevent a ban on early morning deliveries.
On November 13, a petition titled "Opposition to the Ban and Restriction of Early Morning Delivery" was posted on the National Assembly’s public petition board.
The petitioner, who introduced herself as a working mother raising two children, stated, "I recently heard that the KCTU demanded a complete ban on early morning delivery services during a social dialogue forum on parcel delivery organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. I am submitting this petition out of desperation."
She continued, "My husband and I struggle every day between coming home late from work and caring for our children. By the time we prepare dinner for the kids, bathe them, and do household chores, the day is already over. Only late at night, when stores are closed, do our children mention the supplies they need to bring to school."
She added, "Every time that happens, I am relieved that I can purchase what I need through early morning delivery. For dual-income families like ours, even grocery shopping would not be easy without early morning delivery."
The petitioner emphasized, "The argument to ban early morning delivery could directly harm the daily lives of countless people, including working parents, school parents, and single-person households. For working parents who come home late, early morning delivery is not just a convenience, but an essential means of supporting our daily lives."
She further stated, "This is not simply a matter of consumption. It is an issue that forms the foundation of life, protecting family happiness, health, childcare, and education."
She also pointed out, "Regulating an industry so closely tied to people’s lives and so many jobs requires thorough consideration and discussion. An outright ban would only cause greater inconvenience and social conflict."
She appealed, "I hope the National Assembly and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will find a better solution to address what the public truly needs."
Previously, the National Parcel Delivery Workers’ Union under the KCTU proposed during the "Parcel Delivery Social Dialogue Forum" held on October 22 that early morning delivery services be prohibited from midnight to 5 a.m. to ensure workers’ sleep and health rights.
This proposal has sparked strong backlash from the distribution, logistics, and consumer sectors. They argue that it is difficult to accept due to concerns about consumer inconvenience and a reduction in logistics jobs.
The Korea Logistics Society, the nation’s largest logistics industry association, estimated in its November 6 report "The Impact of Early Morning and 7-Day Delivery Services" that if early morning and seven-day delivery services are suspended and parcel orders decrease by about 40%, the annual loss would reach approximately 54.3 trillion won.
In an online survey conducted by the non-profit organization Consumers Together and the Korea Consumer Organization Association with 1,000 consumers, 64% responded that they would experience inconvenience if early morning delivery were suspended, and 99% of those with experience using the service said they would continue to use it.
On November 12, Kwon Changjun, Vice Minister of Employment and Labor, responded to a question at the National Assembly’s Climate and Labor Committee, "Can the government really ban early morning delivery itself?" by saying, "I don’t think that would be possible. There are various interests involved in this issue." He added, "It is appropriate to regulate night work for the life and safety of workers, but further social discussion is needed on how to do so."
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