gig economy

Near Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei, a gig economy trend involves residents, including children (“kid couriers”), offering outsourced delivery services to food delivery drivers. These individuals handle deliveries during peak hours, earning around 2 RMB per delivery. Summer has seen a surge in child participation, with elementary and middle school students supplementing rider capacity by handling tasks like elevator navigation and customer location. This system allows riders to offload deliveries and provides children with income and experience, creating a tiered micro-economy.

Chinese high school graduates seeking summer jobs faced exploitation through an employment agency. Placed at a facility using the STO Express logo, they were promised 200 yuan for an 11-hour shift sorting packages. After just four hours, the station dismissed them, citing “excessive sweating” and unsuitability, paying only 10 yuan for bus fare home instead. The agency challenged them, “Report it to the police if you want money.” STO Express pledged to investigate potential franchisee violations. Authorities separately noted the case highlights youth labor oversight issues, including failure to register underage workers.

Outsourced delivery services are transforming China’s food and courier industries. “Last-mile” workers assist delivery drivers, especially in high-rises, for a per-delivery fee, improving speed and customer satisfaction. This model benefits primary riders by freeing up their time and leading to higher order fulfillment and potential earnings. The trend offers substantial daily income for auxiliary workers and addresses logistical challenges faced by delivery and courier services.

A Beijing delivery rider from JD Instant Delivery rescued a 70-year-old man suffering a heart attack during his shift, swiftly alerting paramedics and aiding medical staff. The timely intervention during the critical “golden hour” saved the patient’s life. JD rewarded the employee with commendations and an unspecified bonus. Analysts highlighted the incident as emblematic of gig workers’ evolving societal roles, acting as community safeguards amid ongoing debates about labor welfare in China’s tech-driven gig economy. The company’s public recognition aligns with growing scrutiny toward corporate accountability for frontline workers.

A Beijing driver for CaoCao Mobility faced scrutiny after a passenger recorded him denying knowledge of a lost phone left in his vehicle, despite placing it in a seat pouch. The viral video prompted an internal investigation, leading to the phone’s return, the driver’s temporary suspension, and ongoing disciplinary reviews. Under China’s Civil Code, finders must return lost items or risk liability, with excessive reimbursement demands potentially deemed extortion. CaoCao reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, emphasizing trust and service quality as competitive priorities amid evolving regulations in China’s ride-hailing sector.