Logistic firms lay on delivery workers for holiday

Delivery workers sort packages at a warehouse in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Sept. 3. [NEWS1]

Four major logistics companies -- CJ Logistics, Hanjin Transportation, Lotte Global Logistics and Logen -- will employ 10,000 more workers starting next week ahead of the Chuseok holiday season.

The hiring follows an agreement in June over ways to prevent overwork by delivery workers. The agreement was signed by the companies, a labor union representing delivery workers and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Overwork by delivery workers arose as a serious social issue last year, when online shopping took off during the pandemic.

Of the 10,000 new workers, 3,000 will be hired to sort packages, which delivery workers don't like doing.

The ministry said it will receive progress reports from the logistics companies on the situations in their warehouses from Sept. 6 through Oct. 2.

“Delivery workers will not be responsible for delays in deliveries caused by the sudden jump in orders during [the four weeks],” said the ministry in a statement.

It encouraged people to place orders for Chuseok gifts well ahead of the peak time to prevent overloading of delivery workers.

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]