Watch: Massive protests in China after delivery driver made to kneel for this reason
Combo pic of the gig worker kneeling, and subsequent protest in China, shared on social media Photograph:( X )
Story highlights
A protest erupted in China this week after a delivery worker, who some reports said was a woman, kneeled before security guards, pleading to be allowed to go as other orders were pending. The incident sparked a massive online discussion on the conditions of gig workers, even as a movie on the same subject emerged as a big hit in the country
A protest erupted in China this week after a delivery worker, who some reports said was a woman, kneeled before security guards, pleading to be allowed to go as other orders were pending. The incident sparked a massive online discussion on the conditions of gig workers, even as a movie on the same subject emerged as a big hit in the country
The Chinese internet is flooded with videos and posts about protests that took place this week after a delivery driver was made to kneel in front of security guards. Some reports said it was a female rider, but that could not be verified as the person had a helmet and mask on.
Incidentally, the whole episode happened as a Chinese movie about the life of gig workers becoming a big hit in the country.
The incident that took place in the eastern city of Hangzhou exposed chinks in the Chinese gig worker economy, where delivery drivers for apps are made to work long hours for poor pay, and virtually no medical or social protections.
Also Read: Foreign investors withdraw record amounts from China in June quarter
What happened with the delivery driver in China?
The incident happened on Monday (Aug 12) when the delivery driver was caught by security guards, apparently after damaging a fence of a compound while delivering a food order.
The driver was held back by the security guards, who asked for payment for the damaged fence.
The rider kneeled before the guards, pleading to be allowed to go as other deliveries were getting delayed, according to local police.
Other delivery drivers in the area gathered, demanding the release of their fellow driver.
The whole thing was caught on camera.
Watch it here:
Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of content shared on social media
On August 12th in Hangzhou, China, a food delivery worker was forced to kneel, which triggered widespread dissatisfaction among delivery workers in the area, leading to a protest event. pic.twitter.com/66Ly94UqPM
— Real video from China. (@cz8921469_z) August 13, 2024
Soon, the episode snowballed into a larger protest in the city, with scores of gig workers taking to the streets and shouting slogans like 'apologise'.
China gig worker kneeling incident sparks online discussion
The incident led to a major discussion on China's much-censored internet on the economic woes of workers, and the rise in protests against President Xi Jinping's regime.
Also read : Navigating China's economic crossroads: challenges and opportunities ahead
"A massive protest broke out today in Hangzhou City, China, after a security guard forced a female delivery worker to kneel and pay a fine of 200 yuan," wrote Jennifer Zeng on X.
A massive protest broke out today in Hangzhou City, China, after a security guard forced a female delivery worker to kneel and pay a fine of 200 yuan.
— Inconvenient Truths by Jennifer Zeng (@jenniferzeng97) August 12, 2024
Hundreds of fellow delivery workers gathered to support her.
In China's current economic downturn, the survival conditions… pic.twitter.com/VtRl1YUOgA
Another X user with the handle @DeepChinaDive wrote: "Bottled-up anger finally erupts. Delivery workers' protest reveals deeper issues: economic pressure, harsh working conditions, power imbalances. Is this just the beginning? Social tensions have been brewing for a while. More to come?"
One of the X users pointed out that amid the current economic downturn, delivery workers are facing tough living conditions.
They are forced to work desperately to ensure timely deliveries amid intense competition.
"They are also often bullied by the police or security guards. As a result, their resentment has been building up for a long time," wrote the social media user.
Watch: China grapples with ageing population, 94 million workers above the age of 60
Upstream, a Chinese film on gig worker life, is a top hit
The incident happened around the same time as Upstream, a Chinese film on the lives of gig workers, has emerged as a top hit.
Upstream tackles several of China's biggest economic pain points, an uncertain job market, downward mobility and the hardscrabble life of millions working gig jobs, Reuters said in a report.
(With inputs from agencies)
