This story traces the path of a one-armed delivery rider, Wang Zhe, who over seven years transformed his life from struggling to find work to becoming a national role model, illustrating how the courier profession is evolving from a temporary stopgap into a stable and dignified career.
Wang Zhe, who lost his right arm in an accident at age 18, faced repeated rejections from jobs like security guard and courier due to his disability. In 2019, he finally convinced a Meituan station manager by demonstrating his deep knowledge of the local roads. He started his trial on May 21, 2019, and earned over 5,000 yuan in his first month, proving that stable income was possible despite the physical challenges of riding and delivering with one arm.
Beyond reliable earnings, Wang’s role has expanded significantly. Over seven years, he has acted as a "mobile community worker," reporting hazards, helping the elderly, and even posting missing person notices on his scooter. Since 2022, his short videos showcasing his positive, hardworking life have garnered over 14 million views. This dedication led to his election as a delegate to the 18th National Congress of the Chinese Trade Unions in 2023, where he proposed improvements for delivery facilities. In 2025, he was named a "National Self-Strengthening Model" and won a gold medal in a national worker presentation contest.
From Temporary Work to a Stable Career
Wang’s story is a microcosm of a larger trend. By September 2025, Meituan employed 14,743 disabled riders. The company has been instrumental in this shift, not just by providing jobs but by building a comprehensive support network. In October 2025, Meituan launched a nationwide pension subsidy for riders, covering millions. By June 2026, it had paid over 3 billion yuan in occupational injury insurance contributions for more than 10 million riders. Its serious illness care plan has helped nearly 8,000 riders, and its "Kangaroo Baby" charity program has supported over 1,300 children of riders from 13 delivery platforms, investing over 60 million yuan and establishing 36 community education centers.
Riders are also becoming key to urban safety and community support. In the second quarter of this year, over 220 riders received special recognition from Meituan for acts of bravery, a 150% year-on-year increase. In a recent initiative, Meituan partnered with Tencent in Shenzhen to train 2,000 riders to deliver and use AEDs, integrating the delivery network into a "5-minute social rescue circle."
At the 9th annual 717 Rider Festival, established by Meituan in 2018, the company's CEO stated that riders are becoming a more dignified professional force. He emphasized that Meituan will continue to invest in stable income, better rights protection, and fairer dispatching to ensure riders' work is respected and their lives are secure, thereby contributing more value to society.
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