How China is responding to challenges facing 10 mln delivery riders
Summary
China is reshaping delivery platforms to protect more than 10 million riders, adding safety-related time adjustments, exemptions for weather and road delays, and more transparent algorithms. The government is also expanding occupational injury and social insurance coverage for workers in new forms of employment.
Key Points
- Delivery platforms in China are changing algorithms to reduce pressure on riders, including adding red-light waiting time back into delivery windows.
- Meituan, Taobao Flash Sale and JD Takeaway are trialing or adopting measures such as delay exemptions and more transparent order-allocation rules.
- China has rolled out nationwide occupational injury protection for workers in new forms of employment, covering 34.59 million people by the end of July.
- Authorities are also pushing broader social insurance coverage, while companies like JD and Meituan are offering additional rider benefits.
