Regulating the algorithm: platform economy workers in China

challenges of the platform economy. China’s technology giants, such as Tencent and Alibaba, set the stage for high volumes of online commerce, and in this environment, other tech giants have thrived, notably food delivery companies Ele.me and Meituan, and ride hailing company Didi Chuxing. Platform workers face low wages, lack of labour protections, and working conditions dictated by algorithms. The political and social environment prevents independent organising and large-scale protests, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. China has one official trade union, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) that is beholden to the Party and state, but recent reform efforts have led the ACFTU to try to focus on better representing platform workers. Further, the state has cracked down on technology companies and introduced regulations that attempt to strengthen workers’ rights.