Delivery workers take part in a strike in southern Seoul demanding better treatment and working conditions from Lotte Global Logistics on Oct. 27, 2020
Delivery workers at Lotte Global Logistics launched a strike Tuesday to demand better treatment following the deaths of some their colleagues apparently from overwork.
Many of them gathered at a distribution center in Seoul, saying they would be joined by around 250 colleagues across the nation.
A member of a trade union representing them called out Lotte and other logistics companies for reaping enormous profits from increased delivery volumes amid the COVID-19 pandemic while failing to improve the treatment and working environment for workers.
They also laid out six demands, including the restoration of their payments per delivery to previous levels, easing the burden of sorting parcels and recognition of their trade union.
A Lotte official said the company did not expect the strike to seriously disrupt deliveries as those taking part in the action account for only 2.5 percent of the total workforce.
Logistics companies have come under scrutiny amid public outcry over the deaths of at least 13 workers this year.
Lotte said on Monday it will add 1,000 more workers in phases to sort parcels, adjust the volume of deliveries per worker and require outlets to provide workers with insurance for industrial accidents.
Hanjin Transportation also announced the suspension of deliveries after 10 p.m. starting next month.
Last week, CJ Logistics said it will hire 4,000 additional workers to handle sorting and set an appropriate daily workload based on expert recommendations.
<Photo: Yonhap News>
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