China's proposed pension law sparks gig worker backlash

The Chinese Ministry of Market Regulation has drafted a pension reform that would raise contributions from both e‑commerce platforms and gig workers such as delivery couriers. The draft mandates higher payments into non‑refundable pension accounts, a change that many temporary workers fear will cut their already thin cash flow. Zhang Liang, a 34‑year‑old delivery driver in Guangzhou earning about 300 yuan a day, said the new rules would worsen liquidity and make survival harder. Experts note that China’s flexible workforce now numbers close to 300 million, most of whom lack traditional pension coverage. Zhang Dandan, vice‑president of the National School of Development at Peking University, described the shift toward temporary contracts as a response to market uncertainty. Labor lawyer Deng Jianping warned that any increase in mandatory contributions must be balanced against the low wages that keep Chinese exports competitive. The proposal remains in public consultation, with workers and analysts urging safeguards to avoid adding unaffordable costs.