New Challenges for the Collective Representation of Platform Workers in Russia and China

Abstract

The paper compares the situation of platform workers engaged in ride-hailing and food delivery service in Russia and China. These countries share communist experience, similar trajectory of trade unionism development and have witnessed rapid growth of platform work in the last two decades. The lack of labor rights and benefits for gig workers is a global issue. It is complicated by the diversity of gig workers who generally vary from self-employed, independent contractors, part-timers, irregular workers, etc. However, the facts are becoming clear that platform entrepreneurialism is a business model designed to cut costs by shifting labor costs to the workers. It is particularly true for workers who work for one employer upon whom they are dependent on for their livelihood. Some countries have protected this group of “dependent employees.” Stirrings in China and Russia are beginning to call for that recognition. The problem of granting them the status of “employee” thus entitling these workers to an employment contract and eligibility for labor rights and benefits and the right to become members of unions has gained increasing attention both in China and in Russia albeit to a different extent and with different success. In the meantime, the frustrations of these workers sometimes result in public protests. The paper focuses on the experience of Russia and China in relation to ride-hailing and food delivery services. After an overview of the general trends of the development of gig work in these countries, the paper briefly analyzes the approaches toward the problem of the legal classification of these workers and trade unions’ responses.