China currently has over 11 million trucks and more than 17 million truck drivers. This large group has become a significant part of the emerging employment sector, but they face numerous challenges in their operations.

How can we strengthen the protection of truck drivers’ rights? According to Yun Mian, a member of the Expert Committee of the China Society of Logistics, to fundamentally resolve the issues surrounding truck drivers’ legal rights, it is essential to build a well-functioning freight ecosystem. Achieving this goal depends on the development and improvement of three ecological systems.

First, the establishment of a macro ecological system, which is the responsibility of the government. This requires action in four key areas: optimizing the business environment, improving the logistics environment, enhancing market competition, and raising the social status of truck drivers.

Second, the construction of a meso ecological system, primarily involving industry associations and labor unions. Currently, efforts are being made across regions to encourage network freight drivers to join unions. Industry associations and unions need to collaborate, and platform companies should support drivers in mutual assistance efforts and provide safe driving training during this process.

Third, at the micro level, companies are the primary beneficiaries and bear the responsibility for ensuring the rights of truck drivers. Companies can address the challenges drivers face by focusing on welfare and empowerment.

Network freight platforms have played a key role in reducing costs and increasing efficiency in the logistics industry, driving digital transformation, and enhancing the resilience of the supply and industrial chains. However, the network freight sector still faces a range of pressing issues that need to be addressed.