ID :
190604
Thu, 06/23/2011 - 10:11
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/190604
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Lee gets first-hand experience of parcel service
SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak paid a visit Thursday to a bustling parcel distribution center, got a taste of the hard work of courier drivers and heard the difficulties they face as he stepped up efforts to care for the socially weak.
Lee, who had promoted pro-business policies in his early years in office, has sought to boost his image as a caring leader concerned about the mid- and lower-income classes amid complaints that the benefits of growth in big businesses do not trickle down to the working class.
Thursday's visit to the parcel distribution center in Seoul was part of efforts to help address the hardship suffered by those "in the blind spots" of society, presidential aides said. Lee plans to make such a visit every month, with the next one to be with day-to-day construction workers, they said.
Many courier drivers in South Korea are self-employed subcontractors of big shipping firms and run their delivery trucks with the logos of their employers. As they are technically business owners, they are not eligible for the welfare benefits ordinary workers enjoy.
The courier service industry has grown rapidly in recent years along with the expansion of online shopping. As more people got into the business, competition has become so intense that it has led to lower income, longer working hours and worse working conditions for courier drivers.
During a meeting with Lee, courier drivers talked about a host of difficulties they face, such as low commissions they get from their employers, high gas prices, fines they have to pay for illegal parking and the lack of welfare benefits.
Also in attendance were the labor and other Cabinet ministers related to the issue as well as the CEOs of big courier firms.
Lee asked the officials to consider ways to help address the difficulties.
"Those in the courier business are not trying to be millionaires. They are trying to live diligent lives. We have to think about institutional measures" for them, Lee said.
Lee asked courier firm CEOs to think about ways to guarantee a minimum wage for courier drivers.
After the meeting, Lee experienced the work of courier drivers by putting parcels into a truck.
jschang@yna.co.kr
Lee, who had promoted pro-business policies in his early years in office, has sought to boost his image as a caring leader concerned about the mid- and lower-income classes amid complaints that the benefits of growth in big businesses do not trickle down to the working class.
Thursday's visit to the parcel distribution center in Seoul was part of efforts to help address the hardship suffered by those "in the blind spots" of society, presidential aides said. Lee plans to make such a visit every month, with the next one to be with day-to-day construction workers, they said.
Many courier drivers in South Korea are self-employed subcontractors of big shipping firms and run their delivery trucks with the logos of their employers. As they are technically business owners, they are not eligible for the welfare benefits ordinary workers enjoy.
The courier service industry has grown rapidly in recent years along with the expansion of online shopping. As more people got into the business, competition has become so intense that it has led to lower income, longer working hours and worse working conditions for courier drivers.
During a meeting with Lee, courier drivers talked about a host of difficulties they face, such as low commissions they get from their employers, high gas prices, fines they have to pay for illegal parking and the lack of welfare benefits.
Also in attendance were the labor and other Cabinet ministers related to the issue as well as the CEOs of big courier firms.
Lee asked the officials to consider ways to help address the difficulties.
"Those in the courier business are not trying to be millionaires. They are trying to live diligent lives. We have to think about institutional measures" for them, Lee said.
Lee asked courier firm CEOs to think about ways to guarantee a minimum wage for courier drivers.
After the meeting, Lee experienced the work of courier drivers by putting parcels into a truck.
jschang@yna.co.kr
