Introduction
The rise of the gig and platform economy changed the perception of such workers and their interaction with them. Countless individuals found themselves working as delivery men in mostly precarious conditions. The photo book will show the usual day in the life of such people, specifically delivery men in China’s gig economy. It will explore the significance of their work and the implications of labor issues in China’s dynamically changing market.
Overview
A photo book called “The Unseen Laborer” tells the fascinating tale of a delivery worker employed in China’s gig economy. The project digs into the day-to-day activities of this laborer, revealing the difficulties he encounters, the pleasures he discovers, and the ambitions he hopes to realize through an engaging collection of images and intelligent essays. Readers will gain a thorough knowledge of the effects of the gig economy on individual employees’ lives and the larger social fabric after viewing this visual tour (Figure 1).
The photo book opens with an overview of the gig and platform economies, examining the causes that contributed to their development in China. It draws attention to the shifts in consumer behavior, technical developments, and rising demand for convenient delivery services that have influenced this new employment landscape. The deliveryman, whose tale serves as the focal point of the photo book, is introduced to readers in this chapter as the protagonist (Figure 2). Readers will develop a personal relationship with the protagonist by learning about his goals, aspirations, and difficulties through frank portraits and perceptive conversations.
The everyday activities of this man will be illustrated in this passage. It comes with tax issues, navigating congested streets, difficulties negotiating traffic, and hardships in delivering on time. It will bring the gig economy’s original viewpoint from the aspects usually hidden from customers. Although flexible, this work still requires more working hours than a usual job and thus can become unregulated in some manner. The following chapter explores the less desirable aspects of the gig economy, including unstable pay, lax social safeguards, and hazardous working circumstances (Figure 3).
However, this delivery man can find support among his coworkers in the gig economy. This part of the book will show how important it is to feel a sense of belonging to a community. The support from one another also shows the possibility of developing the gig economy, such as creating specific tax liabilities or rights safeguards. It can also be done through unionizing workers. It also provides some insights into the development of gig economy workers, where delivery constitutes their sole income, and thus, there is no advantage to having flexible hours (Wu et al., 2019). Furthermore, the chapter ends with an attempt to reconstruct the gig economy, which is many people’s primary income source.
Conclusion
The documentary “The Unseen Laborer” does an excellent job of highlighting the human side of China’s platform and gig economies. Readers are inspired by the commitment and effort put forth by the delivery man and his coworkers through gripping sights and narratives. The photo book helps readers develop empathy for these workers while also providing a more profound knowledge of the pressing labor concerns facing China’s developing economy.
According to Wei and MacDonald (2021), income, labor representation, protection, and clients are the most important factors when considering a new economic model for delivery. This project intends to push for more substantial labor rights, social safeguards, and equitable working conditions by presenting the difficulties experienced by gig workers. The book serves as a reminder that behind the platform economy’s convenience and effectiveness are actual people working to make it all happen. It is anticipated that by raising awareness and understanding, policymakers and the general public will take action to enhance the lives of these unsung heroes of the gig economy.
References
The gig economy challenges China’s state-run labor unions. (2021). The Economist. Web.
Shanghai traffic police target delivery workers through electronic license plate chips. (2023). China Labor Bulletin. Web.
The platform economy. (2023). China Labor Bulletin. Web.
Wu, Q., Zhang, H., Li, Z., & Liu, K. (2019). Labor control in the gig economy: Evidence from Uber in China. Journal of Industrial Relations, 61(4), 574-596. Web.
Wei, W., & Thomas MacDonald, I. (2022). Modeling the job quality of ‘work relationships’ in China’s gig economy. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 60(4), 855-879. Web.
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