Platform vows to protect delivery riders' rights

Meituan, a popular on-demand service platform, has vowed to strengthen protections of its delivery workers' rights following a conflict between one of its couriers and a security guard in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.

The incident, which occurred Monday in Xihu district, went viral after a delivery rider was seen kneeling in a residential area after being stopped by a security guard from the community's property management company.

Initial social media reports claimed the rider was a female college student, while others alleged Meituan had restricted couriers from accepting orders.

On Tuesday, Meituan responded, saying it would take responsibility when its delivery workers face unfair treatment and ensure they are effectively protected.

The Hangzhou public security bureau said on Tuesday that the rider, a man surnamed Wang, had broken community railings while delivering food, leading to a dispute with the security guard. Concerned about delaying subsequent orders, Wang knelt down, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

The police urged the public not to spread rumors and to remain calm and understanding in such situations.

Meituan also refuted claims it was restricting orders, saying it had taken legal action against accounts spreading false information. The company said it had sent staff members to assist Wang in resolving the conflict and had paid for the repair of the broken railings.

"We will provide various forms of aid to the rider based on his requests," the platform told The-Paper.cn, a Shanghai-based news outlet. "We are committed to offering necessary safety and legal support for delivery workers through dedicated channels."

Meituan added that it would enhance communication with communities and property management companies to create a rider-friendly environment, ensuring better protection for delivery workers while maintaining reliable and timely services for users.

The incident occurred as the Supreme People's Procuratorate, China's top prosecuting agency, announced efforts to bolster legal protections for the country's growing number of food delivery workers and other gig economy workers.