According to a recent survey, 9 out of 10 Coupang delivery workers oppose a bill recently proposed under the leadership of the Democratic Party that seeks to limit the working hours of early-morning delivery laborers.
In a survey conducted by the Coupang Partners Federation of 3,319 delivery workers affiliated with agencies from August 26 to 28, 95.9% of respondents answered that they opposed legally restricting delivery workers' working hours.
Regarding the proposals to limit night delivery frequencies and hours to a maximum of 12 times per month and within 30 hours per week, 97.7% and 97.4% opposed them, respectively.
This survey followed a bill proposed on August 21 by ruling party lawmakers, including Democratic Party lawmaker Park Hong-bae, which seeks to limit night work to 12 times or less per month and 48 hours or less per week.
Among the survey respondents, 48.8% answered that if their income decreases due to restrictions on early-morning delivery working hours, they would take on another job alongside delivery work.
Workers currently performing night shifts pointed out that legally restricting working hours would actually increase the prevalence of taking on second jobs.
In particular, workers who chose early-morning delivery for reasons such as childcare or family care are concerned about income losses caused by regulations.
A third-year Coupang delivery worker who performs early-morning deliveries expressed concern, saying, "I work at night to take care of my child in the morning, but if night working hours are restricted and I have to switch to daytime work, my monthly income will drop by more than 1 million won, disrupting my livelihood. To maintain my current income, I will have to find another job, so my working hours will effectively remain the same or even increase."
The Coupang Partners Federation pointed out, "Coupang delivery workers are closer in nature to independent contractors, and if they work according to the regulations mentioned in the amendment, night shift workers would only be able to work 28 hours a week. Ultimately, they will have no choice but to split their time and take on other work to make a living."
Shin Ho-ryong, president of the Coupang Partners Federation, stated, "If the ruling party pushes ahead with the legislation of the amendment in the future, we will launch a nationwide signature campaign and file a constitutional appeal by reviewing the 'freedom to practice an occupation' and the 'principle against excessive restriction' guaranteed by the Constitution."
(Reported by Jung Da-eun | Video by Hong Jin-young, Design: Yang Hye-min, Produced by SBS Digital News)
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