In recent years, China’s booming food delivery industry has provided jobs for millions, offering flexibility and the opportunity to earn quick money. But this once-promising sector has now become a symbol of economic strain, pushing workers to the breaking point. With the industry generating over $200 billion in revenue, it has seen a meteoric rise, particularly during the pandemic when demand for home deliveries surged. But as the economic landscape shifts, delivery drivers are facing a far harsher reality, with declining wages, dangerous working conditions, and increasingly unforgiving work environments.
One striking example of the pressure delivery workers face can be seen in the viral videos circulating on Chinese social media, where drivers, overwhelmed by negative reviews or impossible deadlines, have been filmed smashing their phones or engaging in desperate protests. These moments of public breakdown speak to the larger crisis unfolding in an industry that now feels more exploitative than empowering. A recent incident in which a delivery worker, frustrated by a negative review, smashed his phone on a busy street, highlights the mounting emotional toll.
The sector’s rapid expansion has also led to the rise of monopolistic practices, with dominant platforms like Meituan and Ele.me controlling the majority of the market. As these companies chase higher profits, they have imposed increasingly stringent rules on delivery workers, resulting in longer hours and lower wages. For many, the job has become a race against time, where one mistake, such as a late delivery or a minor traffic violation, can lead to severe penalties or reduced income.
The economic slowdown in China is exacerbating the situation, putting further pressure on drivers who rely on commission-based pay. China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported that third-quarter growth was 4.6%, a decline that reflects the broader challenges facing the economy. Consumption remains weak, and the ongoing property crisis has left many sectors struggling, including food delivery services. Restaurants, facing diminished demand, have begun offering lower prices and promotions, cutting into the commissions earned by delivery drivers. As a result, workers have found themselves forced to work longer hours to make up for shrinking paychecks.
Labor experts like Jenny Chan, from the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong, have pointed out that the platforms are under immense pressure to keep operational costs low, which has a direct impact on drivers. With fewer orders and smaller margins, many drivers are finding it difficult to sustain themselves. Unlike traditional employees, delivery workers are treated as independent contractors, meaning they lack access to basic labor protections like health insurance, paid leave, or unemployment benefits. This precarious status has left them vulnerable to economic fluctuations and the whims of the platforms they work for.
Despite the hardships, China’s food delivery market continues to grow in value. In 2023, the industry reached $214 billion, with predictions of hitting $280 billion by 2030. However, for the delivery drivers who keep this ecosystem running, the benefits of this growth remain elusive. Instead, the intensifying competition for jobs, coupled with increasingly sophisticated algorithms that dictate routes and deliveries, has created an environment where workers are under constant surveillance and stress.
The rising tension between workers and platforms has not gone unnoticed by the Chinese public or the government. There have been calls for reform, particularly around providing better protections for delivery workers. Some cities have introduced pilot programs aimed at improving conditions, such as requiring platforms to offer insurance or ensuring that drivers have access to legal recourse in cases of disputes. But while these measures are a step in the right direction, they are far from comprehensive, and many drivers continue to feel abandoned by both the platforms and policymakers.
For drivers like Liu, a 29-year-old delivery worker in Beijing, the job remains a double-edged sword. He explained that while the pay was once decent, the pressures have grown unbearable. “Now, every day feels like a gamble,” he said, referring to the unpredictability of earnings and the ever-present danger of road accidents. Last month, Liu lost a friend and fellow driver in a tragic accident, when a tree fell during a storm, crushing him as he rushed to complete his delivery.
Such stories are becoming increasingly common as the delivery industry pushes workers to their limits. Without significant intervention, the delivery drivers who form the backbone of China’s food economy will continue to suffer from a system that prioritizes profit over people. And while the platforms continue to rake in billions, the very workers that sustain them are left struggling to survive.
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