The political sphere is pushing to legislate a cap on working hours for night delivery workers to protect their right to health. The core provisions include a maximum of 10 hours per day and 48 hours per week, a minimum of 11 consecutive hours of rest, and limits on consecutive night work to three days or 12 times per month. It is also under review whether large-scale delivery companies and night delivery operators should pay employment and industrial accident insurance premiums for delivery drivers.
In previous social dialogues, proposals were discussed to limit night delivery working hours to a maximum of 46 hours over five days per week, or a compromise plan capping it at 48 hours per week excluding break times. In contrast, Coupang and Cully, which actually rely on early-morning delivery as their main business, argued that they need operational flexibility for up to 50 hours per week. This is because reducing driver income, disrupting the delivery network, and increasing burdens from additional labor and logistics costs must be taken into account.
According to a survey of 2,405 night and early-morning delivery drivers conducted by the Coupang Partners Association, to which entrusted delivery drivers for Coupang belong, 93% of respondents opposed restrictions on late-night delivery. The primary reason cited is concern over income reduction due to shortened working hours. If drivers attempt to compensate for lost income by simultaneously engaging in deliveries on other platforms or taking on side jobs, their total working hours and fatigue may actually increase even if their working hours at a single workplace decrease.
If restrictions on night delivery hours increase the burden on companies, consumer benefits will also diminish. As costs rise due to the need for workforce expansion, reorganization of delivery zones, operation of vehicles and logistics facilities, and increased insurance and management fees, delivery charges and product prices must inevitably rise, and the threshold for free delivery will also have to be raised. Low-priced daily necessities may be excluded from early-morning delivery targets, and order cutoff times, delivery areas, and time slots may shrink. Consumers in non-capital regions and suburban areas are most likely to face inconvenience first.
Existing large-scale operators with automated logistics centers, high order density, and dense delivery networks can relatively easily absorb increased costs. In contrast, local delivery companies, small and medium-sized logistics firms, and latecomers will find it difficult to withstand additional labor costs and insurance and management expenses. Regulations intended to protect workers end up shrinking the delivery service market and blocking new entrants.
Protection for night workers should not be achieved by simply imposing a blanket time cap but rather by constructing a sophisticated safety net that includes recording actual working hours, ensuring sufficient consecutive rest periods, limiting consecutive night shifts, and conducting health checkups. Sustainable standards tailored to the characteristics of each business type must be established while considering worker income, consumer benefits, and the operational conditions of businesses together.
in OPINION
