‘Exhausted and short of breath’: hidden toll of Hong Kong’s food delivery grind
As part of Greenpeace survey, 33-year-old rider describes intense working conditions and repercussions for taking a break
Sunny Waseem* is often spotted on his motorbike with a food delivery bag weaving through the Hong Kong traffic under the scorching sun.
However, what goes unnoticed is the sweat, headaches, thirst and anxiety to fulfil an order on time.
The 33-year-old delivery rider routinely works more than 12 hours daily, handling back-to-back orders during the busy lunch rush.
“Most of our working hours are during the very hot weather. So it really affects me, I feel exhaustion, an increase in sweat and shortness of breath,” said the full-time rider, who has six years of experience.
Waseem said that he had to take painkillers several times a week to relieve headaches caused by the heat.
However, he felt he could not afford to take breaks in the shade because the food delivery platform’s algorithms would downgrade him, leading to a reduction in his income.