China will initiate more reforms to protect the rights of flexible workers and those involved in new forms of employment to promote high-quality and fuller employment and maintain social stability.
The Chinese State Council, the country's Cabinet, has submitted a new proposal for review to the current session of Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which is China's national legislature. The new proposal includes speeding up the release and implementation of regulations to protect the rights of gig workers including food delivery workers and ride-hailing drivers.
According to a report by the State Council, China currently has more than 200m flexible workers. As of the end of 2024, the country’s basic pension insurance covered 70.57m flexible workers, while the basic medical insurance scheme covered 66.16m.
The report said it goes to the credit of the governments at all levels in the country that China has made notable progress in protecting the rights of gig workers by issuing guidelines, improving working standards and introducing exploratory policies on social insurance.
The report outlined the procedure for oversight of platform algorithms. It also urged employers to standardise payments, lower commission rates and set limits on maximum working hours.
The Chinese Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wu Xiuzhang told the parliamentary standing committee that the ministry has developed new mechanisms for workers employed in new forms of employment to access work-related injury insurance, with premiums calculated based on the orders the employee undertakes.
Mr Wu said the government has eased restrictions for flexible workers and people in new forms of employment to participate in the national pension and medical insurance systems.
The report said that despite strides made in strengthening protection, workers still face challenges like unstable income and insufficient safeguards. These challenges call for further expansion of social insurance coverage and legal support. The Minister said the government will continue to supervise flexible workers' rights and benefits and expand social insurance coverage for them.