Cargo workers in South Korea are demanding government measures to expand the safety freight system after rising fuel costs have drastically reduced their income.
Following the surge in oil prices due to the US-Iran conflict, cargo workers in South Korea are urging the government to address their financial struggles. They are advocating for the expansion of the currently limited safety freight system, which they argue is necessary for ensuring their livelihoods and public safety. At a press conference held near the Blue House in Seoul, representatives from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms to protect their incomes and the transportation industry's stability.
The safety freight system, implemented since February 1, only applies to a narrow range of goods, primarily export containers and cement, leaving 95% of cargo workers outside of its protective measures. Officials have spoken out about the critical situation they're facing, with soaring fuel prices acting like a death sentence for many workers who now struggle as their costs increase while their freight rates remain stagnant. Calls for President Lee Jae-myung and the government to develop long-term solutions have been made.
The cargo workers have expressed deep concerns that without guaranteed livelihoods, there is a significant risk of resorting to dangerous practices such as overloading and speeding, which pose hazards to public safety on the roads. They argue that their survival pressures can lead them to make dangerous choices, emphasizing that the expansion of the safety freight system is essential for their very existence and for ensuring the safety of all road users.
