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Coupang COVID-19 case recognized as industrial accident

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A Coupang worker is tested for COVID-19 at the online retailer's logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, May 27. / Yonhap
A Coupang worker is tested for COVID-19 at the online retailer's logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, May 27. / Yonhap

By Kim Jae-heun

The Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (COMWEL) has recognized the case of a 40-something Coupang employee surnamed Jeon ― who was infected with COVID-19 at the online retailer's logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province ― as an industrial accident, according to a group of victims there, Monday.

On May 23, the very first COVID-19 infection was detected at Coupang's logistics center, through which it eventually spread to 152 people. About 30 of them were Coupang workers and the rest were their family members or friends.

Only Jeon's case has been recognized so far and the remaining 29 cases of Coupang employees are still under review. Friends and family members cannot receive compensation from the industrial accident insurance.

The Coupang workers who fell victim to COVID-19 at Bucheon Logistics Center urged the online retailer to compensate their family members for secondary damage. However, Coupang said it has no plans to do so.

"We will follow any legal guidelines to compensate them. However, we have not received any official request directly from the group of victims yet," a Coupang official said.

As for the primary infection cases, Coupang said it already provided 2,600 workers who went on self-quarantine in May with 1 million won each.

The COMWEL said it has no authority to make private firms compensate for secondary damage and it only pays medical expenses according to the calculation of industrial accident compensation insurance.

"There is no special insurance program for COVID-19 victims," a COMWEL official said. "Secondary victims are not entitled to compensation, either."

In Jeon's case, she picked up COVID-19 at her workplace and spread it to her husband and daughter. Jeon and her child recovered from the virus but her husband is in critical condition.

Jeon alleges she wore a face mask at all times and she did not go anywhere apart from work and home. However, she was not informed about the COVID-19 outbreak at the logistics center she works at, where some 400 people were working close together with no ventilation.

Regarding this, Coupang said it has no plans for additional compensation.

"We are doing everything we can to support the victims by helping to deliver grocery items to their homes during the quarantine period. But there is a limit to additional compensation we can make," a Coupang official said.

Meanwhile, COMWEL confirmed requests for review of 82 industrial accident cases related to COVID-19 infections, 70 of which have been recognized. Two have been disapproved and 10 are still under review.




Kim Jae-heun jhkim@koreatimes.co.kr


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