China’s delivery workers face escalating stress and hardship amid an economic slowdown, with viral incidents on social media highlighting their struggles. Incidents include a rider smashing his phone over a negative review, another fleeing police after a traffic stop, and a group protesting alleged mistreatment of a colleague. The food delivery sector, once lucrative, grew significantly during COVID-19 but is now impacted by weaker consumer spending and a property crisis.
With two major platforms dominating the market, Meituan and Ele.me, workers face low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions, as they earn mostly on commission in a slowing economy.
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