(image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — A man who has been working for many years as a delivery person at McDonald’s covered his face up by wearing a helmet, sunglasses and a face mask to protest against the American fast food chain’s dress code policy of requiring workers to wear jeans while on duty, at the company’s head office in Jongno-gu on Monday.
The employee said that while McDonald’s offers a uniform top to wear in the summer, company regulations require delivery people to put on jeans for work.
“Having to wear jeans with arm and knee protectors is such a harsh rule,” said the employee commenting on the summer regulations.
Although the individual was fearful that his identity would be revealed, he joined the press conference held by coworker Park Jeong-hun, who has been holding a one-man protest since late July to raise public awareness on the harsh working conditions of McDonald’s delivery people.
A delivery person at McDonald’s is paid 400 won per delivery, but Park is asking that on days of rain, snow or intense heat, employees should be paid an extra 100 won per ride.
Park also said that the American hamburger chain currently limits its deliveries in certain areas when there is heavy rain or snow and says the same should apply when heat wave warnings are put in place.
Park also requested a new helmet that covers only half of one’s face, in addition to visors.
Park says he will continue to carry out the one-man protest until new delivery guidelines that help drivers deal with the heat are created.
He also is planning to establish a “rider’s union” by having delivery people from Lotteria, Burger King, Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Hut come together to support various causes.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
