Logistics surge during Double 11 Shopping Festival, drivers overworked may violate labor law

The Double 11 Shopping Festival is approaching, and major e-commerce platforms have launched super discounts, driving a boom in online consumption. In order to prevent freight drivers and logistics personnel from overtime and overwork due to the sudden increase in delivery volume in the short term, the New Taipei City Labor Inspection Office calls on logistics operators and freight companies to implement the working hour regulations of the Labor Standards Law in response to peak shipments to protect labor rights and physical and mental health.

The Labor Inspection Office pointed out that logistics drivers often face high-intensity work pressures such as large cargo loading and unloading volumes and complicated delivery routes during Double 11. Logistics operators should pay attention to the daily working hours of freight drivers not exceeding the 12-hour limit, and should have one day of rest as a holiday every seven days, and ensure that drivers have sufficient shift intervals and rest time; in addition, if drivers extend their working hours due to increased workload, overtime pay must be calculated based on legal standards.

The Labor Inspection Department stated that logistics drivers are important drivers of maintaining social operations and consumer life, and labor safety and health cannot be ignored. Public institutions should reasonably allocate manpower and delivery schedules, and do not excessively extend working hours or shorten workers’ rest time. If a public institution is found to have violated the regulations, a fine of not less than 20,000 yuan but not more than 1 million yuan may be imposed in accordance with the Labor Standards Law, and the name of the public institution and the name of the person in charge shall be announced.