Extreme weather conditions pose significant challenges for gig couriers, impacting performance, income, and health. A study by a food delivery platform in China found that while the heat wave caused couriers to increase order volume, it also caused more delays and higher medical costs. These couriers work hard in the heat all summer long, and their extra income can be as little as $6. Platform managers and policy makers must recognize the impact of extreme weather events on the gig economy, take precautions to meet users’ needs during heatwaves, and balance operational efficiency with gig workers’ health. .
Extreme weather events, from heat waves to hurricanes, are being made worse by global warming. This is especially bad news for outdoor workers like food delivery workers. Amid the intense heat, couriers working for China’s Meituan, Spain’s Globo and India’s Swiggy are scrambling to complete deliveries on time, suffering late fees and serious health risks. Additionally, food delivery workers typically do not have formal worker status, leaving them without essential labor protections.
