Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Cost of living: ‘Blood, sweat’ for a Seoul food delivery driver
To endure this record-setting summer, many South Koreans choose to eat in their air-conditioned home instead of going out to eat. Thanks to the food-delivery services, they can still enjoy professionally cooked meals delivered to the front door by someone, food delivery drivers and riders. They are usually paid per delivery, whose amount is carefully calculated by algorithms that take various factors into calculation, such as the distance, time of the day, weather conditions, and road congestion. However, as fuel prices have skyrocketed all over the world, these independent divers and riders have to manage their income, that is the remaining earnings after expenditures. Also, as the overall cost of living is increasing, they need to bring more money home, which means more deliveries. So, they are working harder and faster, which could increase the risk of accidents. Since these delivery drivers and other gig workers are classified as independent contractors, they need to earn and protect themselves. In South Korea’s overly polarized society, elite workers who earn global-standard salaries and the others who are much less compensated or protected, these food delivery drivers are struggling to survive and improve their working conditions under the rising temperatures and cost of living.
Enjoy reading the story of a food delivery driver in South Korea.
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/7/21/cost-of-living-blood-sweat-for-a-seoul-food-delivery-driver
Cost of living: ‘Blood, sweat’ for a Seoul food delivery driver
To endure this record-setting summer, many South Koreans choose to eat in their air-conditioned home instead of going out to eat. Thanks to the food-delivery services, they can still enjoy professionally cooked meals delivered to the front door by someone, food delivery drivers and riders. They are usually paid per delivery, whose amount is carefully calculated by algorithms that take various factors into calculation, such as the distance, time of the day, weather conditions, and road congestion. However, as fuel prices have skyrocketed all over the world, these independent divers and riders have to manage their income, that is the remaining earnings after expenditures. Also, as the overall cost of living is increasing, they need to bring more money home, which means more deliveries. So, they are working harder and faster, which could increase the risk of accidents. Since these delivery drivers and other gig workers are classified as independent contractors, they need to earn and protect themselves. In South Korea’s overly polarized society, elite workers who earn global-standard salaries and the others who are much less compensated or protected, these food delivery drivers are struggling to survive and improve their working conditions under the rising temperatures and cost of living.
Enjoy reading the story of a food delivery driver in South Korea.
https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2022/7/21/cost-of-living-blood-sweat-for-a-seoul-food-delivery-driver
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