For the first time in 28 years, South Korea has set up a “no express day”

At present, the express industry is undoubtedly one of the busiest industries. At the initiative of relevant associations, August 14, that is, today, has been designated as “no express day” in South Korea, which is the first time in 28 years since the express industry in South Korea has been established. Why does Korean express industry set up “no express day”? Today, the four major express companies, which account for 80% of the express industry in South Korea, give their couriers a holiday and will not arrange work this weekend. Korea Post said it would also participate. For three days from Friday to Sunday, 95% of the Korean express industry, and more than 40000 workers can finally have a good rest. < / P > < p > starting from December 12, South Korean media and major online shopping platforms have reminded the public to plan online shopping schedule and confirm the delivery time of goods. At present, in addition to the online shopping platform with independent distribution system and some convenience store enterprises, most express enterprises will deliver goods in turn from the 17th (next Monday). < / P > < p > Korean couriers do not sign employment contracts with express companies directly, but sign contracts with distribution outlets of express enterprises in various regions as self-employed operators. Therefore, they do not belong to the category of “staff” in Korean labor law. They do not have annual leave and other leave, and their wages are calculated according to the delivery volume of express delivery. Korean express companies usually do not deliver goods on Sundays. If the couriers want to rest at other times, they have to pay 2-3 times of the delivery income to replace the delivery service fee. < / P > < p > according to the latest data, the average Korean receives nearly 54 Express items per person per year. There are also official figures showing that couriers work an average of 25.6 days a month, an average of 12.7 hours a day. During the epidemic period, the number of express delivery in South Korea increased by 30%, and the average monthly delivery volume of many couriers increased from 8000 to more than 10000, and the rest time was compressed again. Up to now, there have been 12 couriers who died of overwork in South Korea this year. However, only 14% of couriers have joined the work-related injury insurance. The express industry believes that there may be cases of “karoshi” that have not been reported. The establishment of “no express delivery day” has aroused heated controversy in South Korea. Supporters believe that this reflects the importance attached to couriers, which enables them to have a rest. Many consumers also say that “it doesn’t matter if the express delivery is late”; critics point out that a day off leads to a large number of express deliveries, which increases the workload of express delivery staff. Moreover, setting up a rest day is only an expedient measure and does not fundamentally solve the problem. It is not enough to set up a “no express day”. More needs to be done to make the whole society pay attention to and improve the working environment of couriers.