MEITUAN(HK:03690) Yang Zi Wan Bao Wang·2025-09-26 09:24Core Viewpoint - The recent initiatives by JD.com and Meituan to provide social security benefits for delivery riders signify a potential breakthrough in addressing the rights and protections of gig economy workers, although establishing a sustainable mechanism for these protections remains a complex challenge [1][3]. Group 1: Current Developments - JD.com has taken the lead by proposing to pay "five insurances and one fund" for full-time delivery riders, prompting Meituan to follow suit with its own social security coverage plan [1]. - The shift in approach from major platforms reflects a growing awareness and acknowledgment of the rights of gig economy workers, driven by public pressure and regulatory guidance from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security [3]. - Data indicates a 23% year-on-year decrease in labor arbitration cases related to rider rights in 2024, suggesting positive effects from recent policy changes [3]. Group 2: Challenges to Long-term Solutions - The establishment of a long-term protection mechanism faces three main challenges: the conflict between the flexible nature of gig work and rigid social security systems, the tension between corporate social responsibility and profit margins, and the gap in policy enforcement and regulatory capabilities [4]. - Delivery riders frequently change platforms and work locations, averaging 3.2 changes per month, complicating traditional social security payment models [4]. - A report from an unnamed delivery platform indicates that fully implementing social security could increase the cost per rider by 18% to 22%, highlighting the financial implications for companies [4]. Group 3: Collaborative Solutions - Addressing the long-term challenges of rider rights protection requires a collaborative effort among government, platforms, businesses, and riders to create a robust support framework [5]. - Recommendations include promoting flexible social security accounts, establishing decision-making mechanisms involving rider representatives, and leveraging technology to optimize operational costs [5]. - Successful examples of organized labor, such as a rider union in Shanghai that helped recover wages for over 200 riders, demonstrate the effectiveness of collective action in advocating for worker rights [5].