A food delivery worker in China who knelt and begged a security guard for mercy after accidentally knocking down a fence while rushing to dispatch an order on time sparked a protest by his courier colleagues.
On August 12, the courier from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province in eastern China, tried to save time by cutting through the greenbelt of a residential complex, accidentally trampling over the fence.
The security guard immediately confiscated the driver’s electric bike keys and asked him to pay a 200-yuan fine (US$28).
Hangzhou police said that the courier, fearing a delay in his deliveries, knelt down and begged for his keys back.
The incident led a large number of delivery riders to gather near the building to protest, forcing police to control the situation.
Videos shared on Weibo show angry riders pushing and shoving with the police, chanting: “Apologise to the courier! Apologise!”
The driver’s employer, Meituan, sent a representative to the scene, paid for the repair of the fence, and helped police disperse the crowd.
Meituan added that they would support the courier if the police investigation found he had been treated unfairly.
Hangzhou police said in a statement: “We hope people remain calm, understanding and tolerant when faced with such situations.”
The incident quickly became a trending topic on mainland social media.
One netizen wrote on Weibo: “This is so heartbreaking. No one would willingly kneel in public unless they were driven to desperation.”
“Why is the security guard making things harder for the courier? They are both struggling workers,” said another online observer.
While a third person added: “Due to the high demands placed on drivers, couriers are often forced to risk breaking traffic rules and endangering their lives just to earn a meagre income.”
In recent years, economic pressures and job scarcity have driven thousands of people into the food delivery industry.
Last year, China’s two major food delivery firms, Meituan and Ele.me employed 7.45 million and 4 million active riders respectively.
The couriers earn up to 10 yuan (US$1.4) per order, depending on the delivery distance. Late deliveries result in complaints and fines.
China has been taking measures to improve the working conditions of delivery workers, but reports of mistreatment remain common.
On July 23, a delivery rider in Hubei province, central China, had his ankle locked with a riot control device as a “punishment” by a security guard.
In July 2022, a customer refused to let a woman courier use the building’s lift, insulted her work ethics and threw hot noodles at her.
