Opinion | Taiwan Enacts Landmark Labor Protection for Delivery Workers, Gap with China Widens

Taiwan Pushes New Protections for Delivery Workers, Sparks Debate in China

Taiwan's legislature passed an act offering new labor protections for delivery workers on June 6.

The law stipulates that delivery workers must be paid at least NTD $45 (US$1.43) per order, and no less than 1.25 times the country's hourly minimum wage, with future rates to be matched with thespecific statutory minimum wage in a given year. 

Set to take effect in July 2026, the law has already garnered significant attention from the more than 10 million delivery workers in mainland China, who have expressed hope for similar protections.

However, the per-order minimum wage ofNTD $45, approximately10 Chinese yuan, remains a high bar, with workers in Beijing reporting on social media that their delivery fees can be 6 yuan (US$0.83) or lower.   （Related： Microsoft Report: US AI Paradox—Global Innovation Leader, 24th in Adoption ｜ Latest ）

Delivery driving has become a quick means of livelihood formany middle-aged and younger Chinese individuals lookingto sustain their livelihoods after a wave of business closures caused by COVID. Both part-time and full-time drivers abound, with the latter able to earn a monthly base salary ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 yuan ($415–$690), plus additional earnings based on delivery volume.​

The Chinese government released guidelines outlining labor safety and income rules, but industry observers note that consistent implementation remains a significant challenge. ​

Systemic Exploitation: Delivery Riders as Cheap Labor

Labor disputes involving Chinese delivery drivers are a fixture on overseas social media platforms, such as a major incident in November 2025 during which a workerin the northeastern city of Shijiazhuang reportedly attacked a station manager in an argument over withheld wages.

In the aftermath, platforms across the country launched "care programs" aimed at preventing such violence. However, a months-long investigation into local delivery hubs across China revealed that while most platforms outwardly comply with government guidelines, many continue to use under-the-table contracts to circumvent labor protections.

Reports shared by delivery workers on social media platformsaccuse companies such as the e-commerce giant JD ofreportedly blocking food delivery orders during peak morning hours, forcing workers to either deliver parcels at earlier hours to warehouse stations or be marked as "absent." （Related： Microsoft Report: US AI Paradox—Global Innovation Leader, 24th in Adoption ｜ Latest ）

As a later entrant to the delivery market, JD engaged in aggressive price wars last summer against more established industry rivals like Taobao and Meituan, at the time offering consumers a Starbucks latte delivered for as little as 6 RMB—a fraction of the standard 35 RMB in-store price.

Despite government efforts to curb "irrational competition" within the industry, platforms continue to utilize these pricing strategies to inflate order volumes, analysts observed.

Earnings calculations show that riders are charged a daily insurance fee of three yuan, which is deducted immediately from their initial earnings. Furthermore, platforms take a commission of 1% to 3% per order. When customers apply discount coupons, the net profit for both merchants and riders can dwindle to mere cents. In one extreme case reported by a merchant, the final settlement for a single order resulted in the merchant actually owing the platform 6 RMB.

Meanwhile, travelers from Taiwan have observed that, even without the use of coupons, the overall cost of food delivery in mainland China remains significantly lower than in Taiwan.

A Tale of Two Systems: Comparative Labor Protections Across the Strait

The passage of Taiwan's new labor law fordelivery workers has specifically resonated with Chinese workers due to its standardized minimum wages and protections during bad weather. In China, delivery platforms rarely suspend operations during severe weather unless a formal government shutdown is issued. （Related： Microsoft Report: US AI Paradox—Global Innovation Leader, 24th in Adoption ｜ Latest ）

Furthermore, field research suggests that Chinese drivers frequently face friction with traffic authorities and property management. A recurring issue involves riders returning from a pickup only to find their electric scooters impounded by traffic police, a situation that has fueled widespread public frustration.

Welfare remains another point of divergence. A 2021 study by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences revealed that over half of the delivery riders in Beijing do not contribute to social security. Many prioritize immediate cash flow over long-term benefits, reflecting the precarious nature of the gig economy.

China's social security system is largely predicated on stable, traditional labor relationships—a model that often excludes flexible delivery work. Many riders are skeptical about their future in the industry, questioning whether they could sustain the physical demands of the job as they reach their 40s or 50s.

Delivery work is often viewed as a "transitional" occupation—a way to earn quick money through physical labor. Given the high turnover rate, platforms are consistently able to replenish their workforce with new entrants. （Related： Microsoft Report: US AI Paradox—Global Innovation Leader, 24th in Adoption ｜ Latest ）

As Taiwan implements its new protections and China enters the first year of its fifteenth Five-Year Plan, whether Beijing will shift toward more human-centric policies for this massive workforce remains to be seen.