Changing job patterns

In November 2024, the National Trade Union and four other departments issued guidelines to regulate the negotiations between platforms and laborers in new forms of employment, covering key issues such as remuneration methods, work breaks and workplace safety.

In January, the Society Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, along with eight other departments, released documents aimed at improving services and management for delivery and express workers. Proposed measures include creating delivery-friendly environments in residential communities, shopping malls and office buildings.

Zhang, the 18-year-old deliveryman, said: "Many restaurants offer discounted meals for us. We can get the meal as we are in delivery uniforms."

"However, some office buildings and residential areas still do not allow us to enter," he added.

The 2025 Government Work Report noted that the Chinese government will strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment and expand the pilot programs for occupational injury insurance.

Wang Xiaoping, minister of human resources and social security, said that by the end of 2024, the national basic pension insurance covered 1.07 billion people.

While China has one of the world's largest social insurance systems, there is still a large gap to cover the entire labor force in the country, especially the large-scale flexible workforce. Both the government and companies are trying to address the issue.

The system will adjust to the changes in employment forms by exploring and improving contribution methods, so that more individuals in new forms of employment can be incorporated into the employee social insurance system and enjoy a higher level of protection, according to Wang.

Zhang Chenggang emphasized that the key is to design a sustainable social security system tailored to China's national conditions, one that protects the laborers' rights without hindering employment. He stressed that the system should ensure a fairer and more reasonable income distribution.

"The ultimate goal is for everyone participating in economic activities to receive returns commensurate with their contributions, enjoy the opportunity for dignified labor and a respectful retirement, and truly realize the development philosophy where the fruits of development are shared by all," said Zhang.

Feng regarded this move of platforms providing social insurance for delivery workers as a transformation that aligns laborers' rights more closely with enterprise development.

"As millions of people working in flexible forms gradually become included in the social security system, the overall welfare of workers will improve," Feng said.

lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn