Six Essential Occupations Face Greater Heat Wave Risks... Labor Minister Calls for Support Measures

Working Conditions Worsen for Care Service Providers and Road Maintenance Workers
Heat Waves Account for 58% of Natural Disaster Deaths
Ministry of Employment and Labor Launches Survey on "Crude Oil Supply Crisis"

It has been found that when a heat wave occurs, the working conditions of essential workers such as elderly care personnel and road maintenance workers deteriorate significantly.

On May 27, the Ministry of Employment and Labor held a meeting of the Essential Work Designation and Worker Support Committee and shared the results of a "Survey on the Actual Conditions of Essential Workers During Heat Wave Disasters." The committee is responsible for designating work that must be performed without interruption to maintain societal functions even during disasters and for developing measures to protect the workers. In the past, it has investigated situations such as the 2022 wildfires, the 2023 maritime vessel accident, and the 2024 disaster at crowded facilities.

Kim Younghun, Minister of Employment and Labor. Photo by Jo Yongjun

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, heat waves accounted for 58% of deaths from natural disasters between 2019 and 2023, making it a particularly damaging type of disaster. Notably, worsening working conditions were observed in six job categories: elderly care service providers, road maintenance workers, water and sewage facility construction workers, railway transportation workers, railway vehicle maintenance workers, and power plant operation and maintenance personnel.

The committee pointed out that, in addition to outdoor work during heat waves, the physical strain from working in enclosed spaces also poses a major problem. It emphasized the need to guarantee rest breaks tailored to on-site conditions, provide cooling support, and establish a separate safety management system. Kim Younghoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated, "Both the government and workplaces must implement practical support measures so that those who are dedicated to maintaining societal functions can continue to work in good health even during disaster situations."

Meanwhile, this year's survey topic has been set as "crude oil supply crisis." This is in response to increasing volatility in the international energy supply chain due to recent instability in the Middle East, with the aim of examining the working environment of those in the energy supply and logistics sectors. The committee plans to investigate the scope of essential work and the deterioration of working conditions for on-site personnel during a crude oil supply crisis, and to develop protective measures accordingly.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.