Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 8 — China's flexible employment workforce has reached 200 million people. To support flexible employment through multiple channels, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued a notice on the 8th on strengthening the standardized development of the gig labor market, requiring localities to incorporate the gig labor market into the construction of the public employment service system and to provide all flexible workers with free, standardized and sustainable basic public employment services.

An official from the Employment Promotion Department of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security explained that the gig labor market is an important vehicle for providing employment services to flexible workers and employers, and plays an important role in improving the employment service system, optimizing the allocation of human resources and broadening employment channels. The notice specifies that the next step will focus on service functions, development layout, operating models and service capacity, among other areas, to comprehensively strengthen the standardized development of the gig labor market.

The notice proposes expanding the coverage of urban and rural services and improving the equalization and accessibility of gig labor market services. It is necessary to adapt to the job-seeking needs and characteristics of flexible workers and provide diversified services. The principle of providing a safety net must be upheld, vigorously identifying jobs suitable for older workers and those facing employment difficulties, and providing safety-net assistance to help workers achieve employment and increase their incomes.

According to the notice, gig labor markets in all localities will focus on providing services such as matching supply and demand information for flexible employment positions, career guidance, referrals to information on vocational skills training and entrepreneurship training, collection of training demand information, and guidance on safeguarding rights and interests. Localities with the capacity may, in line with the actual job-seeking and employment needs of flexible workers, improve convenience service facilities and provide services such as short-term vehicle stopping, tool borrowing and storage, waiting areas for rest, as well as affordable supermarkets, accommodation and catering, and vehicle pickup services, so as to create convenient conditions for flexible workers.

The notice also requires localities to promptly publish information on the job vacancy-to-applicant ratio of major industries and positions in their local gig labor markets, so as to guide flexible workers in job-seeking and career choices.