On March 31, China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs signed an online agreement with four companies to secure 55,000 jobs for ex-service personnel. The corporations involved are China's leading ride-hailing platform Didi Chuxing, courier service provider SF Express and e-commerce giants JD.com and Alibaba Group.
The Internet platforms can overcome the limitations of geography, thus providing more opportunities for employment. Ride-hailing platforms, for example, can boost employment in automobile production, sales and maintenance, in addition to drivers' income.
Last August, the State Council released a guideline for promoting the stable and healthy development of the platform economy. According to the guideline, the platform economy, as a new growth engine which has contributed to the creation of jobs, should be utilized in the wake of the epidemic.
Governments at every level should facilitate the growth of platforms to maximize their recruitment capabilities. The State Council requires policies that support the platform economy to be implemented promptly.
At an executive meeting on March 17, the State Council reiterated its support of the platform economy in the creation of more jobs and new professions. Besides alleviating current pressures on employment, the innovation of the platform economy can improve the relationship between government and market.
(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in China Youth Daily on April 3 )
