The traditional image of gig labor markets in Beijing—chaotic gatherings of job seekers by the roadside, primarily found on the outskirts of the city—is swiftly becoming a thing of the past. This transformation is not accidental; it is the result of a deliberate, multi-pronged strategy to professionalize and protect the city's informal workforce.

The shift gained momentum in May 2024, with the joint issuance of the Guiding Opinions on Standardizing the Development of Gig Labor Markets by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security and five other government departments. The document called for the elimination of curbside gig labor markets and championed a transition toward developing such markets in designated venues and on online platforms.

The impact has been profound. Over the past two-plus years, Beijing has established 18 gig labor markets. In the first four months of this year, these markets facilitated 179,800 gig work transactions, which paid more than 56 million yuan ($8 million) in wages—more than double the figures from the same period last year.

Online recruitment 

Digital innovation has transformed the gig labor markets. Now, people can look for gig jobs on digital platforms. Liu Guofeng, a seasoned gig worker, recounts the stark contrast: "It has never been this convenient to find work," he told news portal Qianlong.com. "Back in the day, we could only wait for jobs by the roadside, enduring the scorching sun. It was common to encounter unscrupulous intermediaries and often difficult to get paid."

A Weixin mini-program called Jingchang Gig Work exemplifies this digital shift. Mini-programs are "light apps" that run inside popular super apps such as Weixin, known internationally as WeChat. Through the mini-program, job seekers can browse listings of opportunities from welders to tree planters, along with information like location, pay and working hours.

The system can analyze users' age, skills, experience and salary expectations to recommend suitable jobs.

"As soon as I opened it, the system recommended several suitable jobs to me," Liu shared. "Furniture installation, forklift operation... The pay rates were clearly listed."

This digital system covers every step from finding a job to getting paid. Once a worker and employer agree on a job, they sign a contract digitally right in the mini-program. When the worker starts the shift, they "clock in" using the app. The system verifies their identity through facial recognition, location data, and a photo of the work scene. At that moment, accident insurance is automatically activated. The employer pays a small premium—just a few yuan (a few U.S. cents). When the shift ends, the employer clicks a button, and the worker's wages are deposited into their account, often within seconds. This seamless process, from job discovery to final payment, has completely changed the way gig workers find and do their jobs.

Zhao Weiliang, head of the Jingchang Gig Labor Market in Beijing's Changping District, said that as of late 2025, the Jingchang Gig Work mini-program had 52,000 job seeker users and 4,976 enterprise users, successfully facilitating 18,600 job placements in 2025.

Although over 70 percent of gig workers usually use the mini-program to find work, the Jingchang Gig Labor Market maintains on-site recruitment booths and advertising posters. "Considering that some laborers may not be able to use smartphones or even read and they still rely on intermediaries to find work, we have retained the traditional role of labor intermediaries," Zhao said.

Enhanced security

Beyond job placement, these gig labor markets are evolving into centers for skill development and enhanced security. A dedicated space at the Jingshi Gig Labor Market in the city's Shijingshan District offers practical training in home improvement skills. Liu Yanhui, a gig worker from Shandong Province, shares his expertise in tiling and plumbing, enabling many to master new skills and increase their income.

Specialized training initiatives are also expanding. In April, the Jingchang Gig Work mini-program launched a Security Guard Job Seeking Zone. Changping District, in collaboration with public security departments, offers a "one-stop" service for training, certification and employment.

These dynamic training programs respond to the evolving needs of the labor market. In 2024, an initial effort to establish a training base for delivery riders at the Majuqiao Gig Labor Market in Tongzhou District of Beijing met with limited enthusiasm. Through subsequent in-depth research, it became clear that security guard was identified as a more suitable and in-demand career path for gig workers in that area. In response, the training courses were adjusted to match the demand. The concise, yet comprehensive program requires only two half-days to complete, effectively blending theoretical knowledge with practical application, and enabling immediate certification.

As of late April this year, these targeted security guard training sessions had successfully engaged 30 cohorts, totaling 491 participants. The program boasts an exceptional pass rate of 97 percent, with graduates readily contributing their skills to temporary security services for major city events. The Majuqiao market now also actively hosts skill-building workshops for positions in domestic services, such as professional organizers and maternal and infant caregivers.

The critical issue of labor disputes is also being addressed. The Majuqiao Gig Labor Market established a Labor Dispute Mediation Room, a collaborative effort between relevant local government agencies. This initiative has successfully mediated numerous disputes, providing on-the-spot resolutions and greater peace of mind for workers. "Previously, disputes over mere tens of yuan (several dollars) would escalate, but now similar situations can be resolved right then and there," He Yuan, head of the Gig Labor Market Service Section at Tongzhou District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, told Qianlong.com.

Feng Meng, Director of the Gig Work Division at the Beijing Employment Promotion Center, told the news portal that the gig labor markets have evolved beyond basic recruitment and training; they are now vital platforms where gig workers receive governmental support and gain social recognition. This comprehensive approach fosters a sense of dignity and security, weaving a robust "safety net" for informal laborers and enhancing grassroots social governance across Beijing.

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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