南方日报

Core Viewpoint - The issue of social security for flexible employment workers has become a hot topic during this year's National Two Sessions, with representatives advocating for lowering the threshold for participation in social insurance [1][2][3] Group 1: Challenges Faced by Flexible Employment Workers - Flexible employment workers face significant challenges in participating in social security, primarily due to the requirement to bear the full cost of contributions themselves, which creates a heavy financial burden [1][2] - Many flexible employment workers have unstable incomes and frequent job changes, leading to concerns about the risk of contribution discontinuation if their work situation changes [1][2] - A portion of flexible employment workers comes from rural areas and may already be covered by rural cooperative medical insurance, reducing their motivation to participate in urban pension schemes [2] Group 2: Policy Recommendations and Innovations - Some cities have successfully experimented with monthly adjustments to contribution levels, indicating potential for further institutional innovation in establishing dynamic adjustment mechanisms [2] - There is a need for targeted policies that address the specific insurance needs of flexible employment workers, such as work injury and unemployment insurance, which currently face limitations and difficulties in recognition [2] - The government is encouraged to consider providing subsidies for flexible employment workers' social insurance contributions and to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach in policy implementation [2][3] Group 3: Importance of Inclusion in Social Security - By the end of 2024, the number of flexible employment workers in China is expected to exceed 200 million, highlighting their significance in the labor force and the necessity of protecting their rights [3] - Expanding the coverage of social security to include more participants can enhance the quality and efficiency of social insurance funds, benefiting local governance and society as a whole [3] - There is a growing consensus on the need for favorable policies to encourage flexible employment workers to participate in social insurance, emphasizing the importance of considering their perspectives in policy formulation [3]