Jin Tou Wang·2025-11-19 09:42Core Viewpoint - Meituan has initiated a significant milestone by providing social security subsidies to all delivery riders starting in November, including those in the crowdsourcing model, which has not been done by any other food delivery platform in the industry before [1] Summary by Sections Policy Implementation - Riders can voluntarily participate in the social security program, with no restrictions on the payment location, allowing them to choose either their employment location or registered residence [1] - Both full-time and part-time riders are eligible to apply for the subsidy, provided their monthly income meets the local payment base minimum and they have met this condition for three out of the last six months [1] Financial Implications - The number of delivery riders in the industry has surpassed 10 million, with Meituan accounting for over 7.4 million riders, indicating a substantial financial burden for the company [1] - Meituan's estimated monthly cost for each rider's social security subsidy is around 800 yuan, which translates to an additional cost of nearly 1 yuan per order [5] - If only 200,000 riders opt for the social security program, the annual subsidy could exceed 10 billion yuan, significantly impacting Meituan's profitability, which was reported at 10.4 billion yuan in the first half of the year [5] Industry Impact - This initiative is expected to stabilize the rider workforce, enhancing employee loyalty and brand reputation, which are invaluable assets for the company [5] - The move signifies a shift in the industry from aggressive competition based on subsidies and growth to a focus on responsibility and sustainability, marking a new phase for the food delivery sector [5][6] - Meituan's actions may encourage other platforms to follow suit, potentially transforming the social security landscape for gig economy workers, including ride-hailing drivers and couriers [6] Future Considerations - The initiative raises questions about how to provide more precise and comprehensive protections for riders, including seamless social security transitions across provinces and addressing the diverse needs of riders based on age and region [6] - The long-standing issue of rider social security has been addressed, providing a sense of stability for workers who previously felt unanchored in their roles [7]