How China’s economy restructures: one million former coal and steel workers driving for Didi Chuxing
Ride-hailing firm’s chief executive says it can help offer ‘work opportunities and better livelihoods with the power of technology’
Didi Chuxing, the ride-hailing company, is claiming to have given more than a million jobs to former heavy industry workers across China, according to new research from the firm.
Its study shows there are now 3.89 million full-time and part-time drivers from 17 heavy-industry provinces including Heilongjiang, Shanxi and Sichuan who work for the firm’s private car and chauffeur services.
Out of the drivers it employs who used to work in heavy industry, 530,000 came from those that are undergoing massive restructure, including the coal and steel sectors, the report said.
It claims the number represents 60.2 per cent of the Chinese government’s one-year re-employment target for heavy industry workers who have been made redundant, and 29.4 per cent of the five-year target.
Cheng Wei, Didi Chuxing’s chief executive, said in a statement to the Post that 15 million rides take place on Didi every day.
Internet platforms like Didi are able to provide job opportunities for blue-collar workers, which also helps to fulfil the government’s Internet Plus initiative
“As China undergoes sweeping economic restructuring, Didi is in a unique position to help drivers find flexible work opportunities and better livelihoods with the power of technology as we work together to create more sustainable cities,” he said.