Political adviser draws attention to grassroots workers

Workers in new forms of employment include couriers, takeout delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers and other related occupations. According to the Ninth National Survey on the Status of the Workforce, the number of such workers has reached 84 million in China, accounting for 21 percent of the total.

Since last year, Su has visited near 30 cities in 18 provinces for surveys about these workers and a number of their employers.

Through investigations, Su found that the workers have a strong sense of gain in general. However, part of them cannot enjoy the benefits of the social security system due to the characteristics of their jobs, such as incomplete labor contracts, vague labor relations and flexible working hours.

Their main concerns vary from wages, labor security, occupational health and vocational training. To address these issues, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has taken the lead in establishing labor consultation and coordination mechanisms in several major internet enterprises, providing the laborers with more tools to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

Su suggested that, while protecting the workers, the government should also create a favorable external environment for the development of platform enterprises, guiding them to establish sustainable business and profit models, so that the creation of more new job opportunities can be ensured.

"The employers and the employees, the concerns and benefits of both sides should be considered equally," said Su.