Authorities should resolve concerns of those in new forms of employment

Statistics show that the number of people engaged in new forms of employment, including couriers, takeout delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers and other related occupations, has reached 84 million in China, accounting for 21 percent of the total workforce.

However, the current law and social security system have not been adjusted in line with the new employment pattern, and the rights and interests of workers in many aspects still need to be further protected.

Because of complex employment modes, quite a number of practitioners have not signed labor contracts with the platforms, resulting in a series of problems. In addition, given that most of the new employment forms rely on the internet and lack transparent and full-fledged rules, this has affected the rights and interests of workers.

To solve the problems, the country should improve the laws, regulations and institutional systems to ensure the rights and interests of workers in new forms of employment are safeguarded.

The authorities should improve the labor laws and regulations, defining the relationship between enterprises and workers under different forms of employment and their application standards through unified national legislation. The clear basis for the rights and obligations between two parties at the legal level is of substantial significance for the protection of the rights and interests of workers.

Not long ago, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and other departments issued a notice to explore the construction of a one-stop diversified joint mediation mode of labor disputes under the new employment forms. More forward-looking innovations and explorations should be made.

A better employment environment and a sound institutional system should be created to make all workers feel more secure and respected.