In Yijiashan community of Yvjin, Zhejiang province—dubbed “the world’s supermarket”—a new initiative is providing support to thousands of gig economy workers, particularly food delivery riders. After completing a delivery, Hou Bo, a courier, takes a break at a community service center where he can access free refreshments and top up his water bottle, offering a respite from the region’s intense heat.

The center is part of a broader effort led by local Communist Party of China (CPC) organizations to assist more than 6,000 delivery workers in the area. These urban community Party groups are focusing on integrating gig workers into city life and mitigating difficulties they face in their often-transient jobs. “Many workers used to leave after a few months due to high living costs,” said Pan Zhiyong, manager of a courier station in Shanghai’s Putuo district. The introduction of rest spaces and affordable housing has helped create a sense of belonging for these workers, Pan added.

In the Putuo district, a community service center now occupies a former parking lot and offers a range of facilities including a 24-hour rest area, emergency medical supplies, mobile device charging stations, showers, and laundry services. To address housing challenges, shared apartments are available with monthly rents starting at 500 yuan ($73).

This approach reflects a nationwide trend aligned with the rapid expansion of the digital and platform economy. In Beijing, for example, over 14,000 service hubs are located near areas densely populated by delivery couriers and other gig workers. These hubs provide essentials such as seating, drinking water, and shelter from inclement weather.

Experts highlight the role of local Party organizations in strengthening community governance amid the high mobility and dense populations in urban areas. Wu Tao, a professor specializing in grassroots Party building at the China Executive Leadership Academy Pudong, noted that these organizations contribute significantly to social cohesion by connecting residents and workers who frequently move through neighborhoods and commercial districts.

By collaborating directly with gig workers, local officials are also incorporating their insights into community improvements. In Shanghai’s Songnan township, couriers contributed to redesigning a parcel-locker system after sharing suggestions drawn from their daily experience. Yang Yang, a Party official in Songnan, remarked that delivery workers often identify local issues early due to their extensive presence in neighborhoods.

Community involvement extends beyond feedback. In Yijiashan, volunteer teams comprising delivery workers participate in food safety monitoring, assist with meal deliveries for elderly residents, and provide emergency aid. The community service center also offers regular training sessions covering logistics certification, short-video production, livestream e-commerce, and new media operations, aiming to enhance longer-term career opportunities for gig workers.

Local authorities have introduced additional support measures, including cross-regional medical insurance payment options and pilot programs for occupational injury insurance tailored to delivery couriers. These initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to improve living and working conditions for millions engaged in emerging employment sectors tied to the digital economy.