Gig workers expand services to communities

Wearing a yellow jacket and riding an electric scooter through Beijing's bustling streets, 37-year-old Zhang Mengmeng is a familiar sight as he delivers meals to customers.

Beyond delivering meals, Zhang also serves as a "community responder".

"I do small things to help others," he says.

"Many of my colleagues do similar things, such as helping people push carts uphill, offering raincoats on rainy days, and assisting elderly residents who live alone."

Earlier this year, Zhang jumped into an icy river to rescue a woman after witnessing her fall in. His bravery earned him the title "Beautiful Community Responder" from local authorities, highlighting his story as an example of how gig workers can contribute to their communities.

Zhang is one of the volunteers in a community responder program organized by Desheng subdistrict in Beijing's Xicheng district, which brings together delivery riders, couriers, ride-hailing drivers, and other gig workers.

Through a WeChat group, participants report issues they encounter during their daily routes, such as broken manhole covers and malfunctioning streetlights. The subdistrict responds promptly to address the problems, while contributors receive points that can be exchanged for daily necessities.

"The reward points encourage us to keep doing good deeds, but what really makes me happy is helping others," Zhang says.

The initiative in Beijing reflects a broader trend among Chinese cities to explore how gig workers can contribute to community services.

With around 84 million people in China engaged in new forms of employment, including food delivery and ride-hailing, multiple cities are experimenting with various approaches to leverage their mobility, neighborhood familiarity and frequent interactions with residents to strengthen local communities.

In Shanghai's Songnan town, couriers helped redesign a residential parcel locker area after sharing suggestions based on their daily delivery experiences. Their recommendations improved parking arrangements and package-sorting space, making deliveries more efficient for both workers and residents.

In Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, local authorities have worked with delivery companies to establish a rider rescue team trained in first-aid skills, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bleeding control and wound bandaging. The team members can provide timely assistance during emergencies while continuing their delivery work, and have helped more than 30 people within three months.

In Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, local authorities have engaged delivery riders to help deliver automated external defibrillators to people in need within five minutes.

The broader role of gig workers is also reflected in national policy. In April, the central authorities issued guidelines calling for stronger protection of the workers' rights and interests while encouraging their participation in social governance.

XINHUA