China calls on delivery, ride-hailing firms to respect gig-worker rights ahead of holiday

As the Lunar New Year holiday approaches, the Chinese government has summoned Meituan, Alibaba Group Holding, Didi Chuxing, SF Express and other logistics firms to ensure the welfare of the tens of millions of gig workers who keep the country running during the rush.The “employment administrative guidance” session, held recently by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, in coordination with six other government agencies, called on 16 major Chinese platform and logistics operators to “continuously improve labour management and effectively safeguard the rights and interests of” the gig workers, according to a ministry statement on Monday.The companies included Alibaba’s instant delivery unit Taobao Shangou and grocery chain Freshippo, Geely-backed ride-hailing app CaoCao and courier firm YTO Express. Alibaba owns the China-morning-post" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="12558" data-entity-type="organization">South China Morning Post.Separately, the ride-hailing arm of Amap, Alibaba’s mapping and navigation service, was recently summoned by an interministerial office to discuss “mismanagement of third-party ride-hailing partners, undue suppression of rates and inadequate emergency response measures”, according to a Monday statement by the Ministry of Transport.The meeting also highlighted drivers’ rights, as the regulator, comprising at least 11 authorities that oversee the mobility industry, urged Amap to “strengthen care and support for drivers during the holiday period, and persistently improve working conditions and the employment environment”.Amap pledged to “strictly meet the requirements of the meeting” and “conduct comprehensive rectification”.