Core Viewpoint - Meituan has announced that its rider pension insurance subsidy will be implemented nationwide two months ahead of schedule, benefiting millions of riders [2][3]. Group 1: Industry Context - The rider community has rapidly grown to over ten million since the inception of online food delivery in China in 2008, highlighting the challenge of providing social security for the 240 million flexible workers globally [5]. - The U.S. and U.K. have struggled with defining labor relationships for gig workers, often classifying them as independent contractors, which complicates their access to social security [6][23]. - The introduction of the "Labor Tripartite" concept in 2021 by Chinese authorities aims to address the unique needs of flexible employment groups, including riders and ride-hailing drivers [8]. Group 2: Current Challenges - Riders face a low participation rate in social security, with only 25% covered under urban employee insurance, and many are reluctant to contribute due to financial constraints [11]. - The existing social security options are limited, with urban employee insurance being too costly for most riders, while rural resident insurance offers low coverage [12]. - A significant portion of riders (about 40%) are hesitant to pay more than 500 yuan per month for social security, indicating a preference for lower costs over comprehensive coverage [20]. Group 3: Meituan's Initiatives - Meituan has initiated a pension insurance subsidy that is now available to all riders, regardless of their employment status, aiming for inclusivity and fairness [33]. - The company has also participated in the "New Occupational Injury" pilot program, which provides a flexible insurance model based on the number of orders completed rather than traditional employment contracts [25][29]. - By 2024, Meituan plans to expand its insurance offerings and has already covered over 13 million riders with more than 2 billion yuan in premiums [29]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The rider insurance model established by Meituan may serve as a blueprint for other gig economy workers, such as delivery personnel and ride-hailing drivers, to access similar benefits [43]. - The ongoing collaboration between government and platforms like Meituan is essential for creating a sustainable social security framework for the growing flexible workforce in China [42].

Core Viewpoint - The "New Occupational Injury" policy aims to provide occupational injury protection specifically for workers relying on internet platforms, with an expansion of the pilot program to include ten provinces and larger platform enterprises, significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries [1][5]. Group 1: Policy Implementation - As of July 1, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and nine other departments have decided to expand the pilot program for occupational injury protection, including provinces like Hebei, Zhejiang, and Shandong [1]. - The new pilot program has been in effect for over a month, and its implementation is being closely monitored [1]. Group 2: Beneficiary Experiences - Yang Dongdong, a truck driver in Shandong, was able to apply for "New Occupational Injury" protection after injuring himself while working, highlighting the program's accessibility and efficiency [3]. - The program covers all costs associated with occupational injuries, funded entirely by the platform, without distinguishing between full-time and part-time workers [5]. Group 3: Participation and Future Plans - As of June this year, 12.35 million people have participated in the "New Occupational Injury" program across seven pilot provinces [5]. - By 2027, the Ministry plans to explore including other high-risk industries and platform enterprises in the occupational injury protection pilot, aiming to enhance safety for new employment forms [5]. - Local human resources departments are working to strengthen the safety net for new employment forms, ensuring comprehensive coverage [5][7].

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese government is launching a special initiative to address the rights and protections of gig economy workers, specifically focusing on a new occupational injury insurance scheme called "New Occupational Injury" tailored for delivery riders and ride-hailing drivers [1][6]. Group 1: New Occupational Injury Scheme - The "New Occupational Injury" scheme is designed specifically for workers in new employment forms, providing occupational injury protection based on the principles of platform funding, per-order payment, mandatory coverage for each order, and universal coverage for each individual [6][7]. - Unlike traditional commercial accident insurance, the "New Occupational Injury" scheme does not require personal contributions, as all costs are covered by the platform, making it suitable for both full-time and part-time workers [7][9]. - As of 2022, seven platform companies participated in pilot programs for this insurance, which are currently implemented in seven provinces and cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangdong [7][13]. Group 2: Financial Commitment and Coverage - A logistics platform has invested 120 million yuan in occupational injury insurance for drivers, covering approximately 1.6 million drivers, with coverage amounts ranging from several hundred yuan for minor injuries to up to 1 million yuan for severe injuries [9]. - An external delivery platform has reported a total premium expenditure of 1.5 billion yuan, covering nearly 7 million riders across seven provinces and cities as of April this year [11]. - The number of new employment form workers in China has reached 84 million, with over 11 million participating in insurance programs as of March [13]. Group 3: Future Plans and Algorithm Transparency - The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security plans to expand the insurance pilot program to 17 provinces and cities, with a gradual push for nationwide implementation [13]. - Several platforms are also making efforts to optimize details regarding wages, rest times, and order dispatching, with a focus on transparency in algorithms related to order distribution and commission rates [13][15].