Expressway rest area workers demand improvements to poor dormitories and break spaces
Issues with the living conditions of expressway rest area workers, inspection of the conditions of aging dormitories and break spaces See why full-scale repairs and safety measures are urgently needed
It was found that workers at highway rest areas are living in aging dormitories and break areas, facing inconvenience and danger. According to a report by Kyunghyang Shinmun, some rest areas were effectively unusable due to ceiling leaks, mold, and collapsed ceilings, but proper repairs were not carried out.
The report said that thousands of directly employed, tenant, and contracted workers are working at 215 highway rest areas nationwide managed by Korea Expressway Corporation. It was pointed out that they continue long shift work even during holiday breaks and do not receive adequate basic housing and rest conditions.
Workers and labor unions said that spaces invisible to customers are being neglected, and demanded that the relevant authorities promptly conduct a comprehensive inspection and prepare measures to repair and renovate aging facilities.