Alibaba unit cares for parcel couriers

China's gigantic e-commerce sector is linchpinned by two crucial elements: couriers and hulking warehouses.

To attend to the wellbeing of the first - the express deliverymen - Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd unit Cainiao Network Technology Co Ltd, the nation's first technology-driven logistics network, has launched a free physical examination program for employees at six leading couriers.

By working in partnership with Ali Health, an Alibaba subsidiary on online medical services, and iKang Healthcare Group, a leading physical examination institution, Cainiao said it provides in-depth checkups for deliverymen, with a special focus on occupational diseases, such as a stomach illness, back injury and kidney function tests.