JD.com's founder, Richard Liu, recently addressed the company internally, emphasizing the need to protect the jobs of hundreds of thousands of employees amid technological advancements. He stated that JD.com must explore all avenues to safeguard employment, including blue-collar positions, whether through business model innovation or developing new ventures.
Liu envisions JD.com becoming the largest operator in the physical world. He predicts that in 20 years, JD.com will still be the company with the largest workforce in China. To achieve this, JD.com has launched the "Nirvana Project," which focuses on preserving numerous blue-collar jobs. In response to the wave of new technologies, JD.com has established over 80 Robobase centers across the country. These centers train blue-collar workers in new skills such as robot maintenance, helping them transition into white-collar roles and become higher-paid, in-demand advanced technical workers.
Liu stressed that JD.com will not lay off any frontline employees replaced by robots. He explained that many workers have not yet contributed to their social security funds for the full 15 years required to receive pensions upon retirement. For instance, many couriers have only contributed for 12 years. Terminating their employment would jeopardize their future benefits. JD.com is committed to minimizing the impact of new technologies on over 500,000 blue-collar workers and their families.
Liu acknowledged the challenges faced by these employees, noting that they work tirelessly in all weather conditions. While JD.com offers the best compensation and benefits in the industry, he recognizes that their work is demanding and not inherently enjoyable. The company remains dedicated to supporting its workforce through this transition.
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