Even if individuals are the same delivery personnel, those not working solely for one business owner are excluded from the protection of the Industrial Insurance Act in the event of a job injury or illness. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — As delivery apps such as Baedal Minjok and Yogiyo are enjoying their heyday, the work pattern of delivery people and their legal status is also changing.
However, the possibility of getting injured and the risk while delivering goods are not getting much attention.
Some point out that there is a large gap between the risk of injury and the compensation being offered in case of an injury.
This is largely due to difference in work patterns.
Even if individuals are the same delivery personnel, those not working solely for one business owner are excluded from the protection of the Industrial Insurance Act in the event of a job injury or illness.
Meanwhile, if one is a regular delivery personnel working for one business, one is entitled to insurance.
The Korea Insurance Research Institute said in a report released on Sunday that it needs to actively utilize automobile insurance as a means of compensating for business hazards for deliverymen who fail to be “exclusive” and are not protected by the Industrial Insurance Law.
Motorcycles or a two-wheeled vehicles, which are usually used by delivery people, cause the most severe damages once an accident occurs.
The fatality rate for all traffic accidents is 1.7 percent, but the rate for two-wheelers is 2.7 percent.
In addition, more than 19 percent of traffic accidents involving motorists are caused by those under the age of 20, who are most of the time unable to compensate for the damages on their own.
What’s worse, due to low insurance coverage rates, it is difficult for those who get in accidents to compensate for damages or pay for one’s own medical treatment.
Starting in 2012, two-wheeled vehicles were required to be registered before use and get insured for all vehicles up to 50cc, but only 43.4 percent of them were covered by liability insurance last year.
Both motorcyclists and insurance companies need to be more active in applying and buying insurance.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
