In China, “flexible workers” such as food delivery workers took to the streets claiming protection of rights and interests. Concerned about the expansion of protests, the authorities have begun to prepare institutional arrangements.
According to Singapore’s Chinese media Yonhap news agency, delivery workers recently staged a massive demonstration in Changsha, Hunan Province. The incident began when a delivery worker was asked by security guards to pull his or her bicycle or deliver it on foot only. In the process of protesting against the incident, the worker collided with a security guard. Someone reportedly said to him, “I don’t treat you like a human being.”
Since then, a number of delivery workers have gathered at the scene in groups, honking their horns and protesting. Delivery platforms have also suspended delivery services in the area. The protest lasted from the night of the 22nd to the morning of the 23rd, and the police are said to have dispersed it.
In August last year, hundreds of fellow delivery workers were reportedly protesting at an apartment complex in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, who were angry at a security guard kneeling on a college student food delivery worker.
The government came forward after the issue of the rights and interests of flexible workers such as delivery workers became controversial. According to the state-run Xinhua News Agency, China’s State Council said in a report to the National People’s Congress on the status of flexible employment and new employment type workers’ rights and interests.
Analysts say that China is trying to improve the rights and interests of flexible workers because the institutional discrimination they receive leads to social instability factors.
In China, the number of flexible workers is increasing as stable jobs decrease and youth unemployment increases. The Chinese Communist Party estimates that there are about 10 million people.
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
