Do you have what it takes to be a delivery driver in China?
Workers in the world's largest gig economy are being paid as little as $45 a day and sometimes going months without a day off. The ABC hears from one of them.
In China's rapidly growing gig economy, delivering food has become an enticing option for those struggling to find stable employment. Qi Yuesen, a 20-year-old delivery driver in Beijing, works long hours with little break time. Each day, he accepts multiple orders, sometimes risking dangerous behavior like running red lights or breaking traffic laws to meet tight delivery deadlines.
The pressure to earn money quickly in China's economic downturn has pushed many workers into gig economy jobs, leading to long hours, high competition, and few job security guarantees. Despite the grueling work, some, like Qi, find it a preferable alternative to their previous, more exhausting jobs. The gig economy's growth signifies a shift in China's labor market, with more people gravitating towards flexible, short-term work rather than traditional, steady employment.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
