Gig Industry in China and U.S. with Class Activities

Author: Jun Yoo

Objective of the activity

By the end of this session, students will be able to: 1. Describe the pre- and post-COVID growth of China’s gig economy. 2. Analyze how the pandemic shock altered supply and demand for gig work in China. 3. Evaluate worker experiences under platform management and social insurance gaps. 4. Compare policy responses in China with the U.S. context (e.g., CA AB5/Prop 22). 5. Critically discuss the trade-offs between flexibility and worker security in gig work.

Pre-class activities

Watch videos about gig economy in U.S. (Youtube) and a movie “Upstream” (by Ni Xing Ren Sheng).

In-class activities

Activity 1: Writing the Next Delivery‑Platform Law in China Purpose • Apply evidence from the lecture on labor conditions, algorithmic control, and ongoing policy pilots. • Practice multi-stakeholder negotiation and concise policy writing. Pick of One Role 1. Couriers’ Association-highlight injury risk, 10-hour workdays, and limited insur- ance.1 2. Platform Executives (Meituan / Ele.me)-stress demand spikes (17 B orders in 2020) and thin profit margins. 3. City Regulators (Shanghai pilot team)-aim to scale the 2023 social-insurance enrollment program. 4. National Regulators-aim to balance job creation with labor standards; have already mandated a wage floor and injury insurance. Writing Each role drafts a one-page policy brief (bullet points only) including: • Two non-negotiable policy demands. • One compromise the group is willing to accept. • Data or facts from the lecture slides that justify the position. Discussion Whole-class discussion: • Which role’s arguments dominated? • What trade-offs emerged between flexibility and security? • Quick comparison with California’s AB 5 / Prop 22 hybrid model. Activity 2: Cross‑Country Policy Pitch-Can Prop 22 Work in Beijing? Purpose • Deepen understanding of regulatory differences (top-down China vs. fragmented U.S.). • Build comparative policy-analysis and concise-presentation skills. Setup Create teams of 4–5 students. Each team tackles the following policy-transfer prompt: “Design a 2026 Beijing version of California’s Proposition 22, drawing on China-specific gig-economy facts from the lecture slides.” Guidelines Teams must specify: 1. Earnings Standard-Prop 22 sets 120 % of local minimum wage for active time. What multiplier fits Beijing given wage compression?2 2. Benefits Package-decide on insurance, health-care stipends, and retirement contri- butions (reference Meituan’s pilot endowment-insurance subsidy).3 3. Classification Status-justify whether workers stay independent, become employees, or adopt a hybrid status. 4. Enforcement Mechanism-options include algorithm audits, city compliance bureaus, or platform self-reporting.

After Class Activities

Post assignment (for activity 1) and in-class discussion. Assessment will depend on student participation and whether their written responses include in-class lecture components.

Resources

3OZ7ugPsYUeT-Teaching_plan_and_Activities_JY-2.pdf, CZzzKqqwSEUr-China_Gig_Industry.pdf