A tip is nice, but ‘thank you’ goes a long way for Hong Kong’s growing army of food delivery workers
- More join the ranks of food delivery people as pandemic sparks sharp increase in orders
- The harder you work, the more you earn, but self-employed have few labour rights
The main delivery companies, Foodpanda, Deliveroo and Uber Eats, have all reported an increase in food orders, as well as a sharp rise in the number of couriers.
All three expected their teams to grow this year, with more people joining to deliver food on foot or on motorcycle.
For Hongkongers who have lost their jobs, or seen their incomes shrink during the pandemic, delivering food has become a quick way to make money.
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Mung Siu-tat, chief executive of the Confederation of Trade Unions, said many delivery workers put in long hours and were under pressure to meet targets.
Calling for more protection for this group, he said many were self-employed and did not get sick leave or compensation if they were injured on the job.