[News Today] Night-shift delivery accidents soar

[LEAD]
Early morning delivery services grew rapidly ever since the COVID-19 pandemic.

But new data shows, so did the number of serious workplace injuries at night.

Since early morning delivery was never discussed in the 2021 social consensus for delivery workers, experts say this time, it can't be left out.

[REPORT]
The late Oh Seung-yong recently died in a traffic accident while working to make deliveries early in the morning.

The accident occurred at around 2 a.m. He worked an average of 69 hours a week.

An analysis of occupational accidents involving delivery workers over the past three years shows that the number of night-shift accidents occurring between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. more than quadrupled.

It stands in stark contrast to a 1.8-fold increase in non-nighttime accidents during the same period.

Prof. Kim Hyun-joo / Ewha Womans Univ. Mokdong Hospital
Delivery requires long hours and excessive physical work. Night-shifts will significantly increase the risk of death from overwork.

A social consensus for delivery workers was reached four years ago. But concerning early morning delivery, no discussions were held.

At the time, Coupang held a share of 0.1 percent in the delivery service market. But it has surged to 14 percent in just a year.

Kim Kwang-seok / Chair, Delivery workers' union
It's to build a sustainable morning delivery system that benefits not only laborers but also consumers, employers without exhausting workers.

The union of delivery workers says that it is not demanding a ban on early morning delivery services but an agreement for night-shift workers that work extended hours.

Coupang delivery worker / (VOICE MODIFIED)
If there aren't early morning deliveries, night-shift workers will see a drop in earnings. Many people take nighttime shifts to better utilize time.

The body for social dialogue will hold its third round of discussions on the matter on November 28.

■ 제보하기
▷ 전화 : 02-781-1234, 4444
▷ 이메일 : kbs1234@kbs.co.kr
▷ 카카오톡 : 'KBS제보' 검색, 채널 추가
▷ 카카오 '마이뷰', 유튜브에서 KBS뉴스를 구독해주세요!

KBS