Public Opinion on the Logistics Service Development Act

Parcel delivery businesses were in a tough spot even before the COVID-19 pandemic. As online shopping spiked during the lockdowns, companies struggled to meet increased demand from merchants for home deliveries. The transition from a relatively stable market to accelerated growth has forced some postal and parcel companies to bring on more workers.

Like many other businesses, logistics are currently confronting immense change. Like all change, this leads to both risk and opportunity. A bill of law of the Logistics Service Industry Development Act introduced to protect workers in the parcel delivery industry has passed the National Assembly plenary session.

Real Research conducted a survey to understand the Koreans’ public opinion on the Logistics Service Development Act that was proposed to protect workers in the parcel delivery industry.

Highlights

• The majority of respondents are not aware of the Logistics Service Development Act
• 1002 participants are in favor of this measure
• Almost 48% believe it is necessary to create a safe working environment for courier workers
• Nearly 41% said that the Act would have a bad influence on our daily life
• About 919 affirmed that the law is impeding the worker’s income

People’s Awareness & Concerns About the Act

The Logistics Service Industry Development Act meant to protect workers in the parcel delivery industry has passed the National Assembly plenary session.

Surprisingly, among the 2,300 participants who took the survey, 1233 are not aware of the law. Meanwhile, 957 say that they are aware of the law introduced.

Among the respondents who took the survey, 1002 affirmed that they favor this measure. On the other hand, 402 respondents said that they are not in favor of this measure. It means that the action taken affects them. However, 786 people are not interested in this measure. It can be that they are in other industries.

The Impact of the Act

While booming e-commerce has driven a surge in parcel quantities during COVID-19, the Act proposed will create a safe working environment and reduce workforce in the industry. Regarding this, people have been asked about their opinion on the Logistics Service Development Act.

In accordance with the data collected, around 48% of respondents said that it is necessary to create a safe working environment for courier workers. Furthermore, 10% think the demand for delivery has increased due to COVID-19, but there is a concern that it will block the entry of new industries such as personal delivery services.

Moreover, nearly 16% of participants said that the courier-related laws and delivery-related laws must be enacted separately. Also, about 9% think it is unclear whether the person contracted with a delivery company is legal or illegal.

Effects of The Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 virus caused lockdowns worldwide, people remained home. More so, some lost their jobs and had to work part-time in the delivery industry because the online sales increased during the pandemic and with it the delivery of parcels.

To tackle whether this Act will negatively influence our daily lives, 21% of people said that it would have a bad effect on our daily lives. On the other hand, around 43% replied that it wouldn’t negatively influence our daily lives. Meanwhile, almost 36% don’t know whether it will affect our daily lives or not.

Furthermore, 919 people think that as many people are doing delivery service after losing their jobs due to COVID-19, it impedes their income. Besides, 234 believe that there will be an obstacle to the mobility industry. Aside from these respondents, 309 people said that the human resources in the delivery industry would decrease. 299 say that they are not interested. Similarly, 432 people think there are other lousy effects to expect.

In addition, do you think it has to be abolished? Notably, around 17% said yes. Meanwhile, the majority state that it should not be abolished.

To conclude, the parcel businesses are increasing their ­operations to cultivate closer connections with customers. However, the Logistics Service Industry Development introduced an Act meant to protect workers in the parcel delivery industry. The Act has both positive and negative effects, according to the data collected.