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11/11/2020

Topic Reading-Vol.3136-11/11/2020

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

'I thought maybe I would die': S Korea's delivery drivers demand change

Soy sauce, a skirt, a toothpaste, a chair, or pet food, you can buy anything from daily necessities to furniture, or even a car online. It’s so convenient and safe to have things delivered at your doorstep especially under the pandemic. Just click, touch, or tell your device, you’ll get the things you want within a day or even hours. The only interaction you may have is the person who delivers the items unless you choose a drop-off or unattended delivery option. But as online purchases increase, people working at distribution centers and deliveries are getting enormous pressures especially during the holiday season and sales events. Also, online retailers are competing to provide faster deliveries and more convenience such as delivery time options and the same day or even within-hours delivery services.

In South Korea, there are many people who overwork at delivery centers and in delivery trucks, and some of them are believed to have died because of overwork. Their work hours are way too long and work conditions and requirements are both so severe, but their time and effort aren’t recognized so much. They are just expected to do their jobs no matter how overloaded they are. Indeed, while most of the shoppers just enjoy the convenience of online shopping, there are a lot of hardworking people out there to bring the goods without delay or mishap.

Today’ is the Singles Day Sales, the world’s largest shopping event in China. How their delivery workers handle such a spike of deliveries?

Read the article and learn about the hardship Korean delivery drivers are enduring.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-54775719

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