Recently, a message detonated the hot search on social media: "Last year, on the Meituan platform, about 7.45 million riders received income, totaling more than 80 billion!" ”
This number seems to be quite lofty, and it seems to show the prosperity of Meituan's business and the size of the rider team, but it also hides the real survival situation of the riders.
80 billion! It sounds quite dazzling, and it is distributed to 7.45 million people, about 107,000 per person, which seems to be a lot. However, this is a "year-round" effort! Riders leave work at 6 a.m. and finish at 12 p.m. every day, in the sun and rain, and sleeping in the open, which is not a job that anyone can do.
According to statistics, Meituan's riders complete more than 20 takeaway deliveries per day on average, and the number is even as high as more than 30 during peak hours. The average delivery time for each order is 30 minutes, which means that riders work more than 10 hours a day with little time to rest. The delivery of every takeaway is the condensation of the sweat and time of the riders.
The real picture of the rider's income
In my second-tier city, for example, a rider's monthly income is generally between 5,000 and 8,000 yuan. While this may not be a low income locally, the reality is far more dire than the numbers suggest, given the number of hours they work each day and the risks they take.
The author has had in-depth exchanges with two riders, and here is a brief description of their situation:
- Xiaomao: I have to ride more than 100 kilometers a day, and my monthly income is only about 6,000 yuan, and after deducting vehicle depreciation and accident insurance, the actual income is less than 5,000 yuan.
- Xiao Lu: I've been working at Meituan for two years, and my working hours are irregular, and I often need to run orders late at night. With a monthly income of more than 7,000 yuan, it is difficult for a father with a 5-year-old child to maintain a basic life.
In addition, the risks faced by riders in the delivery process cannot be ignored. According to the China Road Traffic Statistics Annual Report, the accident rate of food delivery riders is much higher than that of ordinary drivers. Although Meituan provides insurance for riders, in the event of an accident, high medical bills and loss of being unable to work are undoubtedly a disaster for riders.
The crushed riders
As the number of orders increases, so does Meituan's squeeze on riders. Some riders reported that Meituan has been reducing their working hours by reducing delivery times and increasing order density, while revenue has not increased in tandem. Meituan's assessment standards are extremely demanding, and any small mistake can lead to a point deduction or even a fine.
In Meituan's income distribution system, basic wages plus order subsidies are the main components. However, since the order subsidy is closely related to factors such as completion speed and service score, most riders' income depends more on order volume than service time. This means that the actual income of the riders in the high-intensity working environment is not stable.
Riders are not only porters of numbers and orders, but also flesh and blood. Their hard work, in exchange for the vitality and convenience of the city, is often ignored and exploited. Behind this seemingly prosperous Internet economy, the plight and sacrifice of the riders deserve our deep thought and attention.
In this era of rapid rotation, behind the 80 billion income, there are 7.45 million fiery hearts. On every speeding electric car, there is a Meituan rider, who is the "express" of the city, the "porter" of life, and the bearer of hope for countless families.
Let's enjoy the convenience while also giving the riders the care and respect they deserve.
In this fast-moving era, everyone who works hard to live deserves our respect and gratitude.