China's Gig Economy Booms, But Heatwave Leaves Workers Exposed

Critics Say Employers Not Doing Enough to Protect Workers as Heat-Related Deaths Rise

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BEIJING — On a scorching morning in Beijing, Mr. Hao and a dozen other food delivery drivers sweltered outside a hot-pot restaurant. They smoked. They swiped through videos. They waited for the next round of lunch orders from people wise enough to stay indoors.

Mr. Hao, like most of China's 200 million gig workers, is eligible by law to receive a "heat wave allowance," or danger money for those required to work for hours in extreme heat conditions.

Mr. Hao should be paid at least 180 yuan (S$32) per month when the heat crosses 35 deg C. The city had already breached that, with the mercury heading fast towards 40 deg C that week. But he has not seen a penny.

"I've never heard of a company benefit for working in a heatwave," said Mr. Hao, who has been clocking 10-hour days on his scooter for five years now. He declined to use his full name for fear of reprisals from his employer. Mr. Hao is not alone — most drivers have never received a payment.

When the sun turns cities like Beijing into gridded ovens, demand for deliveries spikes. The hotter it gets, the more orders pour in.

For platforms like Alibaba's Ele.me, Meituan, and JD.com — some of China's largest food delivery sites — the maths is simple: sweating riders equal happy customers.

For their part, the companies say they do support workers.

JD.com is offering full-time riders a hot weather allowance, the firm said, without elaborating on the details. Meituan is taking measures, including the use of heatstroke prevention insurance from July.

Ele.me did not respond to a request for comment, though it has previously implemented programmes that provided drivers with "summer cooling supplies."

For Mr. Hao and millions like him, the rush of orders means he may earn an extra yuan per hour. It is not even enough for a cold bottle of water.