Core Viewpoint - The disparity in social security benefits between gig workers in the cleaning industry and delivery riders highlights the challenges faced by domestic workers in securing stable employment and benefits [1][2]. Group 1: Current State of the Industry - Domestic workers, such as cleaners, often lack employee social security protections due to the "intermediary system" prevalent in the industry, which does not require formal labor contracts [2][3]. - The number of employee-based domestic service companies remains extremely low, with only 15 such companies in Beijing as of November 2023, despite the existence of over 111,000 domestic service-related enterprises [2][3]. - The domestic service industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage, with estimates suggesting a gap of over 10 million workers [3]. Group 2: Employee-Based Domestic Service Model - The employee-based model aims to provide more stable employment and benefits for domestic workers, including social security contributions, but faces challenges such as high management costs and low willingness among workers to enroll in social security [4][9]. - Companies like Today Oriental Home Service have been pioneers in the employee-based model, employing around 2,500 workers and providing them with salaries and social security [4][5]. - The government has issued guidelines to promote the employee-based model, aiming for a significant increase in such companies by 2027 and establishing it as a key model by 2035 [8]. Group 3: Challenges and Barriers - High operational costs and the low entry barrier for intermediary domestic service companies hinder the growth of employee-based models, as they require additional investments in employee management and training [9][10]. - Legal challenges related to labor laws complicate the implementation of employee-based models, particularly regarding overtime pay and rest periods for live-in workers [10]. - The reluctance of many domestic workers to enroll in social security due to immediate financial concerns and the perception of short-term employment benefits further complicates the transition to an employee-based model [11]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The industry is exploring new pathways to improve service quality and worker conditions, including a focus on professionalizing a portion of the workforce under the employee-based model [12][13]. - There is a growing recognition that both intermediary and employee-based models will coexist in the future, with the latter gradually gaining market acceptance [14]. - Industry leaders advocate for more substantial government support for employee-based domestic service companies to ensure their competitiveness against intermediary models [14].