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From "Gig Survival" to "Social Integration"--The Profound Significance of Social Security Reform

Jan 30-2026   



*This article is adapted from a piece by Zhang Dandan, Bo Ya Young Scholar and Professor of Economics at Peking University's National School of Development, Changjiang Young Scholar of the Ministry of Education and Vice Dean of PKU NSD.

Although flexible employment now accounts for half of the urban workforce, it remains highly dependent on individual self-discipline and intrinsic motivation due to a lack of external oversight and institutional constraints. This leaves less motivated workers vulnerable to falling into the trap of "gig-based survival," from which it is difficult to transition back to regular employment. The collective social alienation of a large number of young people is detrimental to the sustained and healthy development of society.

Meituan's pension insurance subsidy initiative represents a notable development in this context. Its value is twofold: First, it represents mode innovation. By combining platform subsidies with voluntary individual participation, the scheme moves away from the conventional practice in which platforms do not directly bear social security costs. This establishes a new form of protection that bridges the gap between traditional labour relations and fully autonomous insurance enrolment. Second, it provides guidance and acts as a signal. The policy's core efficacy does not merely lie in the short-term number of riders enrolled, but in the long-term social significance conveyed by its subsidy mechanism.

Moving forward, under the guidance of the human resources and social security departments, platforms should strengthen targeted outreach. They should use both physical service points and digital media to communicate the long-term benefits of enrolment. Crucially, they should establish a clear, progressive pathway to formalisation that seamlessly links social security with skill enhancement, career development and urban integration services. This requires a long-term perspective and recognition that cultivating new mindsets and transforming behaviours takes time. It requires sustained investment of resources, institutional support and cultural nurturing to prevent such initiatives from becoming mere short-term PR stunts or statistical achievements.

Meituan's initiative goes beyond corporate action by addressing the significant challenge of integrating the substantial workforce of new employment models into society, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and future prospects.

This responsibility extends beyond the platform itself, requiring joint attention, sustained research and collaborative advancement from policymakers, academia and the media. Only through collective societal effort can we build a more inclusive and secure employment ecosystem that supports long-term social harmony and stability.


From "Gig Survival" to "Social Integration"--The Profound Significance of Social Security Reform

Jan 30-2026   



*This article is adapted from a piece by Zhang Dandan, Bo Ya Young Scholar and Professor of Economics at Peking University's National School of Development, Changjiang Young Scholar of the Ministry of Education and Vice Dean of PKU NSD.

Although flexible employment now accounts for half of the urban workforce, it remains highly dependent on individual self-discipline and intrinsic motivation due to a lack of external oversight and institutional constraints. This leaves less motivated workers vulnerable to falling into the trap of "gig-based survival," from which it is difficult to transition back to regular employment. The collective social alienation of a large number of young people is detrimental to the sustained and healthy development of society.

Meituan's pension insurance subsidy initiative represents a notable development in this context. Its value is twofold: First, it represents mode innovation. By combining platform subsidies with voluntary individual participation, the scheme moves away from the conventional practice in which platforms do not directly bear social security costs. This establishes a new form of protection that bridges the gap between traditional labour relations and fully autonomous insurance enrolment. Second, it provides guidance and acts as a signal. The policy's core efficacy does not merely lie in the short-term number of riders enrolled, but in the long-term social significance conveyed by its subsidy mechanism.

Moving forward, under the guidance of the human resources and social security departments, platforms should strengthen targeted outreach. They should use both physical service points and digital media to communicate the long-term benefits of enrolment. Crucially, they should establish a clear, progressive pathway to formalisation that seamlessly links social security with skill enhancement, career development and urban integration services. This requires a long-term perspective and recognition that cultivating new mindsets and transforming behaviours takes time. It requires sustained investment of resources, institutional support and cultural nurturing to prevent such initiatives from becoming mere short-term PR stunts or statistical achievements.

Meituan's initiative goes beyond corporate action by addressing the significant challenge of integrating the substantial workforce of new employment models into society, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and future prospects.

This responsibility extends beyond the platform itself, requiring joint attention, sustained research and collaborative advancement from policymakers, academia and the media. Only through collective societal effort can we build a more inclusive and secure employment ecosystem that supports long-term social harmony and stability.