China seeks better protection for gig workers

Gig workers, often referred to as independent contractors or temporary workers, are those such as delivery drivers and sales hosts on online platforms who often enter into contracts with on-demand companies to provide services to their clients. 

A recent analysis by AliResearch, a think tank of Alibaba Group, shows that gig workers in China will number as much as 400 million by 2036. 

Five central departments, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance released guidelines recently to tackle practical problems that are being faced today and are on the horizon among employees and employers in the gig economy. 

According to the guidelines, the central government will establish a mechanism to collect and publish reliable job information for people seeking gig work. Recruitment procedures will be streamlined to help job seekers match with suitable vacancies as quickly as possible.

Training courses will be rolled out to improve related and required skills and foster entrepreneurship. Startups will also be encouraged, according to the guideline. 

For job seekers with disabilities or who have financial difficulties, targeted assistance and training will be provided by the government so that they can find suitable employment. 

READ: China offers support to enterprises and self-employed businesses

The guideline also said the government will bolster market supervision and crack down on deceptive practices and illegal behavior such as the publishing of inaccurate or unreliable job information, according to Asia News Network.