Four volunteer teams made up of employees in new forms of employment were presented with their flags at an event in Luohu on October 19. File photo

Four volunteer teams made up of employees in new forms of employment were presented with their flags at an event in Luohu on October 19. 

The event called on employees of new employment groups to take an active role in supporting the smooth running of the APEC meeting while continuing their day-to-day work. 

Shenzhen will host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov. 18–19, marking the third time China has hosted the event. The city is stepping up preparations in areas ranging from border crossing and public services to public participation, aiming to make travel and daily life more convenient for delegates and international visitors.

The new workforce in China primarily consists of internet-platform-based workers, including delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, truck drivers, internet marketers, live-streaming hosts, and online housekeeping service providers.

The four volunteer teams attending the October 19 event represent ride-hailing drivers, truck drivers, couriers and food-delivery riders. 

The event also issued an initiative encouraging workers in these sectors to support the upcoming APEC meeting and help showcase Shenzhen as an open, inclusive, civilized and friendly city through every delivery, journey and livestream.

During the APEC meeting, the volunteers will draw on their professional experience and community connections to serve residents and support the event. In addition to the municipal-level teams, districts across Shenzhen have formed volunteer groups tailored to local conditions.

Luohu has also launched a plan which sees the district’s social work department work with local subdistricts and platform companies to recruit couriers and food-delivery riders for its volunteer teams. 

So far, 18 teams with 166 members have been formed, covering every subdistrict and major platform in the district. Members include ride-hailing drivers, couriers and delivery riders, who will provide bilingual assistance, transport support and other services during the APEC meeting.

The teams will also conduct regular safety checks and assist people in need. Working alongside building coordinators, grid workers and community police, Luohu has appointed some couriers and delivery riders as part-time grid workers, creating a “mobile sentinel” team. As they make their daily rounds, members will help patrol for safety risks, gather information on community concerns and respond to emergencies.