How China's Booming Gig Economy Masks Job Market Pain and Strains Welfare System Tens of millions of Chinese workers have abandoned traditional employment for a life of gig economy uncertainty, driving tens of thousands of young professionals like Bao Zhang to eke out a meager living in cities like Beijing.
As the number of gig workers grows, concerns are mounting about China's welfare system and its ability to cope with the seismic shift towards flexible employment.
At its core, the gig economy has become a crucial safety net for workers displaced by automation, tariffs, and overcapacity in key industries like manufacturing.