Delivery, Ride-Hailing and Other Flexible Workers to Get New Labor Protections, Guidelines Say

What’s new: Delivery workers and ride-hailing drivers are set to enjoy new labor protections covering “workers engaged in new forms of employment,” according to a document issued by eight government agencies Thursday.

The guidelines, issued by agencies including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, lay out 19 measures to safeguard the rights and interests of those flexibly employed, including regulating employment relations, improving occupational injury insurance and setting minimum wage schemes.

Companies and platforms should not set evaluation criteria that endanger workers' safety and health, the new rules state. And policies regarding pensions and medical insurance should be improved to allow workers to register with local insurance systems, according to the document.

The background: The document came after an executive meeting of the State Council, China’s cabinet, chaired by Premier Li Keqiang earlier this month, which vowed to improve protections of those flexibly employed.

Food delivery drivers often lack the same labor protections as others in more formal employment, and they have raised concerns over their difficult working conditions, including long working hours and low pay.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.

Contact reporter Cai Xuejiao (xuejiaocai@caixin.com) and editor Joshua Dummer (joshuadummer@caixin.com)

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