China gig workers could get contracts under draft rules

China proposed rules on Thursday that could give millions of gig workers stronger labour protections by requiring online platforms to sign standardised employment contracts with them.

The draft measures from China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security would apply to internet platforms that recruit, organise and manage workers to complete platform work tasks. The proposal is open for public consultation until November 8.

The rules could affect takeout delivery drivers, parcel couriers and ride-hailing drivers who often lack formal labour contracts. Platforms, including companies such as Alibaba, Meituan and DiDi, would also be barred from encouraging workers to register as individual business owners to avoid signing employment contracts.

Many gig workers in China are currently employed as freelancers or through subcontractors. China had 280 million flexible workers in 2025, according to the China New Employment Forms Research Centre.

Under the proposal, covered workers would be entitled to the minimum wage, extra pay for work on public holidays and appropriate rest. Platforms would also have to explain their management algorithms to workers, and decisions to stop orders or ban worker accounts could not be made by algorithm alone and would need manual review.

Chinese authorities said in April that they would strengthen management of the gig economy through better legal protections for workers, targeting substantial progress in working conditions within three years.