Said they would rest in the car... 3 delivery workers die in heatwave, "Urgent measures" appeal

[Financial News] In the heatwave, a delivery agency manager and two delivery workers have died consecutively.

On the 10th, the National Delivery Workers' Union urged urgent measures, stating that although the causal relationship between the heatwave and deaths is unclear, there have been consecutive fatalities.

According to the delivery union and the industry, on the 4th, Mr. A (43), a manager of a delivery agency in Incheon, was found not breathing at 11 a.m. after saying, "I will rest in the car," following his work duties after arriving at 7 a.m. He was transported to the hospital but eventually died.

On the 7th, Mr. B (51), a delivery worker delivering in the Yeoksam-dong area, collapsed with vomiting symptoms right after arriving at 7 a.m. and was moved to the hospital but died.

In Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, Mr. C (53), another delivery worker, was found unconscious at his home around 9 p.m. on the 8th and died after being transported to the hospital.

All three worked for the same delivery company. Mr. A was a manager, and Mr. B and Mr. C reportedly did not work seven days a week.

The delivery union emphasized, "Just as a weak link breaks first when a shock occurs, deaths due to heatwaves are occurring mainly among the elderly and those with underlying health conditions," and "Delivery workers who load and deliver outdoors while walking and running more than 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day are directly hit, requiring urgent measures."

They demanded ▲ installation of rest areas with air conditioning and sufficient rest ▲ provision of enough salt, ice, and water ▲ guarantee of work stoppage rights during delivery ▲ installation of fans and portable air conditioners in workplaces and expansion of power supply at terminals ▲ distribution of cooling vests.

The delivery union pointed out, "Although clauses related to heatwaves have been added to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the recent Industrial Safety and Health Standards Regulations include '20 minutes rest after 2 hours of work', the law does not apply to delivery workers who are special contract workers."

They further appealed, "Urgent measures and legal institutional arrangements for outdoor workers are urgently needed."


gaa1003@fnnews.com An Gaeul Reporter