China Gig Workers Resist Social Security Draft, Demand Higher Pay for 300 Million Flexible Workers
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 2
China Gig Workers Resist Social Security Draft, Demand Higher Pay for 300 Million Flexible Workers
2 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Aug 2
Summary
Nearly 300 million Chinese gig workers are at the center of a backlash against a draft e-commerce law that would expand platform responsibility for safety, wages and basic social security.
Delivery riders say the proposal misses their most urgent problem: falling per-order pay and tight delivery deadlines that force longer hours and riskier driving.
Guangzhou driver Zhang Liang said payouts have dropped as more graduates, former factory workers and other jobseekers enter the trade; he now works about 12 hours a day to earn roughly 300 yuan ($44).
The draft revision, released on July 4 for public consultation until August 4, is part of Beijing's broader push to bring workers outside traditional employment into the national social security system.