During the National Two Sessions, Cao Peng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of JD.com's Technology Committee, proposed the widespread adoption of a "direct full-time employment" model for delivery riders and other new forms of workers. This model would ensure 100% signing of labor contracts, 100% payment of the full social security package and housing fund, and 100% access to formal employee benefits.
JD.com has adhered to this "direct employment" approach since entering the express delivery industry 19 years ago. Upon expanding into the food delivery sector, the company provided the full social security and housing fund for all its full-time riders. Cao Peng suggested that for workers in new employment forms, achieving "comprehensive scenario protection" across the entire industry requires not only corporate initiative but also clear national standards for defining new types of labor relationships. He advocated for promoting the "direct full-time employment" standard and called for increased policy and financial support, including incentives for companies that proactively shoulder social responsibilities.
Cao Peng proposed that financial authorities establish special subsidy funds to prioritize support for benchmark enterprises that implement these protections. He recommended making protection standards a core indicator for corporate excellence awards and credit evaluations, granting preferential treatment in policy support, project approvals, and tax benefits. He also emphasized guiding more social resources into these efforts, such as through public-private partnerships to build "Delivery Partner Homes" and providing service guarantee subsidies for frontline staff during holidays like the Spring Festival.
As an example, Cao Peng highlighted JD.com's collaboration with the Jinniu District government in Chengdu, where they rented affordable housing to create "Delivery Partner Homes." Over 100 studio apartments, each 35 square meters, have been offered at rents 50% below market rates. Located near delivery stations and logistics parks, these homes come fully furnished with convenient commutes, sometimes supported by dedicated bus routes. This model efficiently utilizes government-subsidized housing stock, offering various options from single beds for transition to shared apartments or family units, effectively addressing the rental challenges faced by delivery personnel.
JD.com has announced it has already provided 28,000 housing units for its frontline employees. The company plans to invest 22 billion yuan over the next five years to supply 150,000 "Delivery Partner Homes," aiming to create the largest, highest-quality, and most extensive housing security system for delivery personnel. This initiative will enable full-time riders to live in well-located, fully-equipped apartments at rents significantly below market rates, or even for free.
In the past three months, "Delivery Partner Homes" have been established in cities including Beijing, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Cao Peng noted that during the 2026 Spring Festival, families of frontline employees in Beijing and Wuhan visited these homes for reunions.
Cao Peng's proposed comprehensive protection system addresses not only the immediate rights and needs of riders but also supports their professional digital transformation. For instance, JD.com has established a "training + promotion" dual-path system and partnered with vocational colleges to create a modern rider academy. This "corporate order + institutional training + on-the-job practice" customized training model helps riders transition from delivery roles to positions in warehouse management, station operations, and technical support, covering the entire career cycle of workers in new employment forms.
Based on the model explored by JD.com, which encompasses social security, comprehensive care, and career development, Cao Peng believes it safeguards riders' legitimate rights, enhances consumer service quality, and boosts the ability and willingness of new employment groups to participate in social governance. He also expressed hope that industry peers would adopt similar measures, collectively making the comprehensive protection model a standard across the sector.
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