Task force hears night workers' concerns over health protection

A task force met in Seoul with night workers from health care, caregiving, manufacturing, logistics and delivery to gather input on working conditions and health and safety difficulties.

The task force had visited Hanjin Co.'s Daejeon Mega Hub parcel terminal on July 22 to examine logistics-system operations and working conditions, meeting workers handling loading and unloading as well as company officials.

Participants said round-the-clock operations are unavoidable in some roles, but workplaces need conditions that allow workers to stay healthy. In hospitals and caregiving, staffing shortages make it difficult to secure sufficient break and sleep time during shifts. Logistics and delivery workers raised the risk of safety accidents from physical fatigue. Participants also cited child care compatibility during the day and higher allowances as reasons for night work.

Labor, management and government agreed on Dec. 30, 2025, to study the scale and forms of night work, as well as overseas cases, before drawing up health-protection measures in the second half of 2026.

“Labor, management and government reached a meaningful agreement last year to strengthen health protection for night workers. Based on the voices heard today, labor, management, government and experts will put their heads together and continue discussions to develop measures for their health protection,” Bae Gyu-sik, co-head of the task force, said.