China has published draft rules intended to improve pay, rest and conditions for ride-hailing drivers, delivery riders and other platform workers, part of an estimated 84 million people in flexible work, CNA reports. Released on 8 October, the proposals would give workers a break after four hours in a row, require at least monthly pay, higher rates on public holidays and allowance for costs such as vehicles.
They would also limit the role of algorithms, requiring a human to review decisions to stop giving a worker orders or to suspend an account. Workers interviewed in Shenzhen described long hours, tight delivery deadlines and fines after complaints. Analysts told CNA the draft mainly turns existing guidance into binding duties, and warned that platforms' finances, the variety of working arrangements and weak enforcement could limit how much changes.
Source: CNA
