Many are calling for better protection for gig workers, while the police have urged the public to be kind.

Chinese authorities have called for gig workers to be treated with kindness after videos of a delivery rider kneeling before a security guard led to protests by dozens of riders.

Guards stopped the rider from leaving a building in Hangzhou on Monday - saying he damaged railings while scaling them during a rushed delivery.

Worried that his subsequent deliveries would be delayed, the rider got on his knees and pleaded to be let go, the city’s police said in a statement.

The incident sparked outrage online, with many urging better protections for workers in the industry.

  • Flying SquidMEnglish
    46•3 months ago

    This image reminds me of something just a little bit.

    I asked the people on Weibo and they had no idea what I was talking about, but I was looking around and I think it was this. But it’s probably just AI.

    • @[email protected]English
      18•3 months ago

      Why? Because they both happened in China?

      The delivery driver was in desperation because they were going to lose money by being held up by the security guard. They weren’t protesting or demonstrating, just trying to do their job and literally could not afford to wait around. Probably because they are paid a pittance and are paid by the delivery instead of by hour worked. This is also a problem in North America and Europe. Delivery drivers are classified as independent contractors to avoid being given hourly wages and benefits. This incident was a symptom of poor regulation of the delivery industry.

      I’m not sure how any of that relates to tank man aside from the fact that both incidents took place somewhere in China. I’m not saying critiquing the Chinese government isn’t worthwhile, but it comes off entirely fangless when you just throw out tank man in a completely unrelated situation. If our goal is better rights and living conditions for workers in China (and everywhere else), the least we can do is actually argue for those things. Criticizing the Chinese state for censoring information on the Tiannamen Square Protests has its place. Doing so here just detracts from the actual subject of the post.

    • @[email protected]English
      18•3 months ago

      Tankman is the everyman standing up against the overwhelming force of the police state.

      That picture is some helpless dude being disgraced because some karen with guanxi ratted on him. :/

    • @harkEnglish
      10•3 months ago

      How does this remind you of Tiananmen Square in 1989? Because China?

      • Flying SquidMEnglish
        20•3 months ago

        Guy facing authority figures who have all power over him? Seems familiar.

        • @harkEnglish
          -3•3 months ago

          So if someone gets pulled over for speeding in China then that’s instant Tienanmen Square in 1989?

          • Flying SquidMEnglish
            5•3 months ago

            You’re trying really hard to argue here…

            • @harkEnglish
              2•3 months ago

              The only thing I’m trying is to understand why you immediately think of Tienanmen Square in 1989 when seeing this story. Other than it taking place in China, I really don’t see a link. There’s no need to get defensive about it, just be honest.

              • @stolyEnglish
                -2•3 months ago

                You’re being defensive. You took some rando’s comments personally and sought to correct their thought crime.

                • @harkEnglish
                  3•3 months ago

                  “Thought crime”? A little dramatic, don’t you think?

            • @stolyEnglish
              -1•3 months ago

              Not just that person. A whole lot of people, perhaps astroturfers, unhappy right now.

    • @[email protected]English
      5•3 months ago

      I was a bit hungry yesterday, it reminded me of people dying of starvation during a famine.

  • @jpreston2005English
    37•3 months ago

    Incidents of riders clashing with security guards in China have made headlines in the past.

    In January this year, a delivery rider in the eastern city of Qingdao was stabbed to death by a security guard for entering a building without authorisation.

    Just another story about how even the tiniest mote of power can corrupt.

  • @EheranEnglish
    13•3 months ago

    So did he or not? They have cameras everywhere, right? Guilty people plea for whatever all the time, how is this even news given the little information?

    • waldenEnglish
      18•3 months ago

      It doesn’t really matter if the railing broke. If something breaks while it’s being used, it’s the builder’s fault.

      • @NarrativeBearEnglish
        17•3 months ago

        I would also argue “intent” needs to be taken into account, otherwise the general public would just be walking around destroying public and private property.

        For example if a person walks or rushes through a door, and somehow the door falls off or breaks. Then that person should not be responsible for the damage, this would just be standard “wear and tear”.

        If that same individual intended to break the same example door with physical force, such as smash the glass, or rip the door off the hinges, then this would be property damage.

        Anyways, in no way should a worker have to kneel and beg in any situation, especially when they fear losing their job if they dont make the next delivery.

        This article IMO shows a lack of worker protections and on job support within the gig economy. Workers should not have this fear, especially for minimum wage. If something happens to a worker during their shift they should have a direct support line, with support staff ready to assist.

      • @cosmicrookieEnglish
        10•3 months ago

        If used as intended yes then the builder is at fault. Railings are not made to be climbed on though.

        But even this does not matter in this case. Basic human decency and respect should not be broken on so simple issues

  • @occhionautEnglish
    7•3 months ago

    “Chinese authorities have called for gig workers to be treated with kindness” is like a mob boss telling their goons not to be too obvious about how they extort their ‘insurance’ money.