China Shifts from Factories to Delivery: 14-Hour Shifts Become the Norm, Sparks Debate in India

China is witnessing a rapid rise in gig workers who, despite 14-hour shifts and meager earnings, are compelled to take up these jobs. This trend highlights the slowdown in China’s economy and a scarcity of traditional employment. While the gig economy offers flexibility, it also exposes workers to low wages, insecurity, and hazardous working conditions, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The report comes at a time when India is also debating the exploitative aspects of the gig economy. Recently, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha raised concerns over the challenges faced by gig workers in India.

From Factories to Gig Work
Once famous for its factories, China is increasingly becoming a country of gig workers, with their numbers exceeding 200 million. Gig work encompasses freelancing, food delivery, ride-hailing, and live streaming. While it provides independence and flexible working hours, researchers say the surge in gig work reflects the inability of China’s economy to generate sufficient quality jobs in offices and professional sectors.

In the past, industries like real estate and education generated significant employment. However, after the property bubble burst and stricter private sector regulations, these sectors are struggling. President Xi Jinping is promoting high-tech industries such as robotics and advanced manufacturing, which require fewer human resources. Consequently, more people are moving toward part-time and informal work. According to data from Gavekal Dragonomics, the share of self-employed workers in China’s non-agricultural workforce has risen from 20% in 2013 to nearly 30% today.

Long Hours, Low Pay
Government data shows that the number of ride-hailing drivers in China tripled to 7.5 million over four years, while rides increased by only 60%. Many cities have even advised job seekers to avoid ride-hailing due to intense competition.

The influx of workers into the gig economy is creating downward pressure on wages. Individuals displaced from other industries or unable to find full-time employment are forced to accept low-paying jobs. As analyst Erenan Kui of Gavekal Dragonomics notes, “We have seen this group’s supply becoming oversaturated, and gig labor has grown rapidly over the last two to three years.”

Delivery driving has become the easiest option for many. With an electric bike, a smartphone, and a willingness to work fast, anyone can enter this sector. Drivers often work 14–15 hours a day and earn roughly $1 per delivery—down from $1.25 a few years ago. A recent quarterly survey by Ant Group’s research arm and another institute found that platform-based workers, including food delivery drivers, work an average of 54 hours per week, earning about $730 per month.

Minimal Job Security
Gig work can be dangerous, with minimal health benefits and virtually no job security. In 2023, food delivery workers were involved in nearly 12,000 traffic accidents—an average of 33 per day. Despite low pay, many Chinese delivery workers earn more than factory employees and value the flexibility to set their own hours.

However, the work is stressful. Delivery apps constantly monitor drivers, imposing fines or penalties if orders are late and requiring them to participate in mandatory training. “Intelligent” helmets equipped with Bluetooth headsets continuously relay app alerts directly to workers’ ears.

Economists warn that China’s increasing dependence on gig work could affect consumer spending, as workers struggle to attain financial stability. It also puts pressure on the pension system, as many gig workers do not contribute to it. In response, regulators have held meetings with platform operators to urge reforms in pricing, wages, and working hours.

Concerns in India
India is also witnessing debates over the gig economy and long working hours. AAP MP Raghav Chadha highlighted the exploitative nature of the system, citing a Blinkit delivery agent who worked 15 hours to complete 28 orders, earning only ₹762.57—roughly ₹52 per hour. Chadha criticized the narrative of the gig economy as a “success story,” pointing to systematic exploitation hidden behind apps and algorithms.

Infosys co-founder S.D. Shibulal recently emphasized that the quality of work matters more than the length of hours, challenging the advice of other industry leaders recommending 70-hour workweeks. He stressed the importance of presence and focus over simply spending time at work, highlighting that managing personal priorities and time allocation is ultimately an individual choice.