Thu, Sep 02, 2021 page10

• Didi helping workers set up union

  • Bloomberg
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  Didi Global Inc (滴滴) is helping its workers establish their first union, a groundbreaking decision its fellow technology giants might soon follow as China imposes rules to curb excessive work and protect millions of blue-collar workers from exploitation.

  The Beijing-based ride-hailing company announced the creation of the union on an internal forum last week without specifics, according to people familiar with the matter.

  Didi drivers — mostly part-time and lacking full employee benefits — would likely be invited to join, one of the people said, requesting anonymity discussing private information.

  

  The logo of Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing is pictured at its headquarters in Beijing on July 2.

  Photo: AFP

  Peers, including food delivery leader Meituan (美團), are also studying the feasibility of internal labor rights organizations, another person said.

  Employees at Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (阿里巴巴) have posted calls for the formation of a union on their own company forum, a third person said.

  Technology giants such as Didi are responding to regulators’ demands that sharing-economy behemoths improve the welfare of millions of low-wage workers they depend on to power growth.

  That stems from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) “common prosperity” campaign to get the private sector to share the enormous wealth accumulated during a decade-long Internet boom, while reining in their growing influence.

  In Didi’s case, the move might curry favor with Beijng at a time it is said to be fighting to ensure its survival after forging ahead with a US$4.4 billion initial public offering over regulators’ objections.

  Didi and Alibaba did not respond to a written inquiry seeking comment. A Meituan representative did not comment on unions, but said in an e-mailed statement it is focused on listening to and helping its delivery riders.

  Didi, now under investigation over data privacy breaches, made its internal announcement just after China’s top court and the Chinese Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security published a lengthy essay outlining 10 cases — including, but not limited to the technology industry — in which employees were forced to work extra hours or put in harm’s way, using real and richly detailed court disputes to demonstrate how to fight against labor rights breaches.

  The essay was viewed as a fresh warning to technology companies, many of which are known for punishing demands and unreasonable overtime.

  It adds to the challenges for an industry already weathering heightened scrutiny over everything from their troves of data to endemic issues such as forced drinking during official functions.

  Beijing hopes unions can play a key role in closing a policy loophole in labor protections across the booming sharing economy, particularly as China enacts strict new regulations.

  Among other things, the Chinese government intends to impose a cap on the commissions that ride-hailing or meal delivery providers charge their drivers or merchant partners.
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