Coupang Logistics Services (CLS) said on May 19 it is seeking to arrange days off for more than 18,000 delivery drivers during the June 3 nationwide local elections. It said more than 6,000 a day have applied for leave over three days: early voting on May 29 and 30 and election day on June 3. CLS said the move is intended to practically guarantee voting participation by subcontracted delivery drivers.

CLS sent an official letter on April 15, 50 days before the local elections, to subcontracted delivery companies nationwide requesting cooperation to guarantee delivery drivers' voting rights in the nationwide local elections. The letter asked them to adjust schedules so drivers can take at least 1 day off during the three days of early voting and election day. Branches nationwide are joining in adjusting delivery schedules in support of CLS's intent.

Branches are operating leave on an individual choice basis for at least 1 day out of the three, considering that a blanket day off for all three days would add to the next day's workload. So far, more than 6,000 drivers a day have applied for leave over the three days. CLS plans to send additional cooperation letters ahead of election day to encourage more delivery drivers to take time off. Taking 2 days or more off is also possible depending on individual schedules.

A CLS official said, "CLS was the first in the industry to introduce a backup driver system, enabling delivery drivers to work 5 days a week or fewer while providing customers with a 'seven-days-a-week delivery service'." The official added, "We are also working to guarantee delivery drivers' participation in voting during the June 3 local elections through a campaign with branches that encourages taking time off."