After 8 hours on the job, riders for delivery giant Meituan are forced to stop and rest

Meituan, which works with over 7.45 million registered riders, is introducing mandatory log-offs to prevent them from burning out. The algorithm-driven policy, which began as a pilot program in East China, addresses mounting concerns about rider safety and well-being in China's intensely competitive delivery sector. The new 'anti-fatigue mechanism' sends riders automated prompts after they've been working for 8 hours, reminding them to rest. If they're mid-delivery, they're allowed to finish. Mandatory log-offs keep drivers off the platform for twelve hours.

As reported by TechNode, top-performing riders in first-tier cities can earn upwards of RMB 10,000 (USD 1,372) monthly during peak seasons — surpassing the average salary of recent college graduates. But those incomes come at a cost. Riders often work long hours, and consumer expectations of ultra-fast delivery regularly lead to unsafe driving, with traffic accidents involving other road users, too.

The mandatory rest system, while well-intentioned, may inadvertently reduce riders' earnings by limiting their ability to work during peak hours. Additionally, enforced downtime could push workers to switch to a competing platform as soon Meituan logs them off. That said, algorithms will increasingly manage labor, and not just for gig workers, as companies strive to balance efficiency, worker welfare and profitability.