(Yicai) April 28 -- China’s pilot program offering occupational injury protection for people in flexible employment‌ will be expanded this year to include more ride-hailing and delivery companies, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

Starting from July 1, nine ride-hailing platforms will be added to the program -- T3 Mobility, Huaxiaozhu, Sunlight Mobility, Ruiqi Mobility, SAIC Mobility, Jishi Yongche, Fengyun Trip, Shouqi Yueche and Meituan Taxi -- Wang Li, deputy director of the ministry’s Work Injury Insurance Department, announced at a press conference today. 

Five instant delivery platforms will also be added, including Alibaba-backed Freshippo, and Little Elephant Supermarket, which is backed by food delivery giant Meituan. 

The lack of protection for people in flexible work, also known as the gig economy, has become a global issue. The jobs include taking orders on internet platforms and providing services such as delivery, transportation, and housekeeping.

With the rapid development of the internet platform economy, the number of people doing these jobs has shot up to 84 million in China, according to the latest data, accounting for 21 percent of the total number of individuals employed. 

China launched its pilot program for occupational injury protection in new employment forms in 2022 and has gradually expanded its scope. Major food delivery platforms and ride-hailing platforms such as Meituan, Taobao Flash Shopping (formerly known as Ele.me), and Didi Chuxing have already been included. 

The program covers 17 provinces and 11 platform businesses, with a total of over 27 million workers who now have the safety net of social security, Wang noted. This year, the program will be expanded to all 31 provincial-level regions in the Chinese mainland, she added.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Tom Litting