China's Trade Unions Announce Five-Year Plan for Worker Protection

The All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) has released a five-year plan for 2026-2030 aimed at enhancing the protection of workers' rights and services, with a strategic focus on the growing segment of platform workers within the digital economy.

The plan specifically addresses the integration of workers in new employment forms, such as delivery riders, couriers, truck drivers, and ride-hailing drivers, into trade unions and securing their rights. The ACFTU intends to encourage platform companies to comply with labor laws, improve occupational injury insurance systems, and develop vocational training and career path evaluations.

According to the ACFTU, the plan includes concrete measures, such as establishing and improving occupational injury insurance schemes for flexible workers and integrating them into the social insurance system. The plan also proposes special programs, including health check-ups, mutual aid accident insurance, and support services tailored for drivers.

The plan also highlights the importance of developing the skills of industrial workers and elevating their professional standards. The objective is to cultivate new master craftsmen, establish innovation studios, and support vocational upskilling. By 2030, the ACFTU expects to increase its membership among those in new employment forms by 7.5 million and to provide at least 15 million employment services annually.