Millions working in shadow of sharing, but uncaring, economy

Long hours, tough work

China is the world's biggest food delivery market. According to Meituan Waimai, Ele.me and Baidu Waimai, toward the end of last year, their combined 1 million riders delivered more than 27 million orders every day.

Though Xue Dongdong, a food delivery rider in Beijing, signed a service contract with Beijing Fengqiao Freight Co, a third-party outfit, he works for Baidu Waimai.

The 28-year-old from Shanxi province often works about 16 hours a day.

"I usually go to work at 6:30 am and arrive back at the dormitory at about 11 pm. If I don't do that, I won't fulfill my order quota," he said, adding that he has to make at least 400 deliveries a day just to collect his basic salary.

He noted that the food delivery industry has high and low seasons, according to the weather.

"The number of people who go out to eat falls during the hottest days of summer and the coldest days in winter-orders rise at those times. Right now, we don't have many orders because it's the low season, so I only earn about 4,000 yuan a month," he said, speaking in April ahead of the summer heat.

The riders accept orders via the company's app, and the amount they receive per order depends on the prices of the dishes requested and the distance they have to ride to deliver them.

Time is the big factor. Xue's contract stipulates that every order should be completed within 37 minutes-if not, he only receives half the agreed fee.

The situation means delivery operatives often ride too quickly and always keep an eye on their smartphones when in transit, searching for more orders, which places them at a greater risk of accidents.

"We all know it is dangerous, but customers place lots of orders at lunch and dinner times. If we don't accept them on the mobile app within a certain time, our salaries will be affected," he said.

The contract he signed with Beijing Fengqiao Freight clearly states that the company has no obligation to contribute to its riders' social security payments.

Initially, Xue wanted to find a job that provided social security, but his opinion changed when he realized he would have to make a contribution himself.

"I think it's more beneficial to save cash now. I don't really see any advantages to having social security at normal times," he said.

According to CNBC, Deliveroo, a leading global online food delivery platform, is providing free medical insurance for 35,000 food delivery riders in 12 countries.

The program covers as much as 75 percent of a rider's average income if they sustain an injury while working. However, the company declined to provide further benefits because it believes additional help could jeopardize the workers' self-employed status.