Being a delivery rider no easy job in Beijing as orders surge

Spotlight on delivery workers in the city after viral letter of riders sleeping rough

- Aw Cheng Wei

As delivery rider Ke Maji made his way to a residential compound in Beijing's Chaoyang district on Wednesday afternoon, he tried to ride slowly and steadily while balancing some 20 bags of groceries on his motorcycle.

When he arrived at his destination, he managed to park his motorcycle only after a few attempts to lift it and kick the centre stand into place. "The motorcycle is just so heavy because I have to send so many orders," the 27-year-old rider told The Straits Times. "I've got used to the balancing, which was tricky at first."

Concerns over the safety and welfare of delivery riders like Mr Ke have become more pronounced in Beijing recently as delivery orders shoot up.

More residents in the capital city are staying home to work and inperson classes in schools have been suspended to fight the latest surge of Covid-19 infections.