Sharing economy prompts industrial worker shortfall

The growth of online jobs is resulting in a decline in the number of people willing to enter traditional sectors

More workers are seeking flexible employment by registering with online apps such as food delivery titans Eleme and Meituan, or Didi, the taxi-hailing platform, rather than sticking with jobs in factories. In addition to greater flexibility, they are hoping to earn more money.

The number of people opting to join this new online labor force hit more than 7 million in 2017, a rise of 1.3 million from the previous year, and is projected to top 100 million next year, according to the State Information Center at the National Development and Reform Commission.