China: couriers called for reinforcement in the face of accumulated delays in the delivery of parcels

In Beijing, several thousand delivery drivers have been called in to deal with delays in the delivery of packages.

AFP - WANG ZHAO

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

In Beijing, several thousand delivery drivers have been called in as reinforcements as parcel delivery delays accumulate in the Chinese capital.

Since the lifting of health restrictions, the Chinese, frightened by the multiplication of Covid-19 infections, no longer leave their homes and rely as often on these delivery men, poorly paid and often with precarious status but whose role is increasingly essential.

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They are almost the only ones to brave the danger of infections: at a time when fear of the virus is pushing the population to confine themselves, delivery drivers are storming the streets on their electric scooters to deliver food, medicines and other packages.

At this pivotal moment, the Chinese are rediscovering the essential role of these bitumen convicts thanks to the state media which are multiplying the reports, such as this video broadcast on social networks, which recounts the daily life of a delivery girl, in the city of Beijing. “ 

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Delivery drivers paid with slingshots

Chinese media rave stories fail to mention that these delivery people are often paid with slingshots, and take reckless risks on the road to be the fastest, while they often do not have health insurance.

And during the epidemic, their living conditions deteriorated further.

Many, for fear of seeing their homes confined, have lived in their vehicles to continue to fulfill their essential role.

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• China

• Coronavirus