"China’s blistering heat leaves workers exposed as gig economy boomsWhen the sun turns cities like Beijing into gridded ovens, demand for deliveries spike.", 13 July 2025

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Hao, like most of China’s 200 million gig workers, is eligible by law to receive a “heat wave allowance,” or danger money for those required to work for hours in extreme heat conditions. He should be paid at least 180 yuan ($25) per month when the heat crosses 35C (95F). The city had already breached that, with the mercury heading fast toward 40C that week. But he hasn’t seen a penny.

“I’ve never heard of a company benefit for working in a heat wave,” said Hao...most drivers have never received a payment...

For platforms like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Ele.me, Meituan and JD.com...the math is simple: sweating riders equal happy customers.

...the companies say they do support workers. JD.com is offering full-time riders a hot weather allowance, the firm said, without elaborating on the details. Meituan is taking measures including the use of heatstroke prevention insurance from this month. Ele.me didn’t respond to a request for comment, though has previously implemented programs which provided drivers with “summer cooling supplies.”...

Heat wave allowances are only given by companies that are willing to comply with the law, and with China’s slowing economy pushing more than one in five workers to gig work, competition for jobs is fierce and few are willing to negotiate for better benefits...

The haves and haves-nots story isn’t new, but climate change is making it starker. And deadlier...

Delivery drivers, street vendors, and construction workers bear the brunt. And when they collapse, few safety nets catch them.

A study published last year...found that during heat waves, gig workers saw a 9% increase in hourly orders, worked 6% longer hours, and earned only one yuan more per hour, in part because of an increase in penalties from delayed deliveries. Meanwhile, their out-of-pocket health costs to treat heatstroke and other harms, like worsening pre-existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, averaged over 500 yuan during the summer peak...

At least 51 workers died of heatstroke in the last three years, according to an analysis by laodongqushi.com...

Under criticism from lawmakers, the platforms have been adding some benefits. Meituan previously committed to “gradually contribute to social insurance for full-time and stable part-time delivery drivers” from the second quarter of this year, and said in its statement that it has a “high-temperature care fund” that attaches an extra delivery fee to each eligible order. JD.com has begun to offer additional assistance to full-time drivers and is “committed to ensuring our riders’ wellbeing during this period of hot weather,” the firm said.

But some say that doesn’t go far enough.

“What workers give and what they receive are not equal,” said Han Dongfang, a renowned labour activist for Chinese workers. “If they were paid fairly, they would be able to take better care of themselves during heat waves.”...