Extreme weather events present significant challenges for gig couriers, impacting their performance, income, and health. A study conducted with a food delivery platform in China revealed that heat waves lead to an increase in order volumes for couriers, but also result in more delays and higher health expenses. Some couriers may have to endure working in the heat throughout an entire summer and only earn around $6 extra. It is essential for platform managers and policymakers to acknowledge the effects of extreme weather on the gig economy and implement preventive measures to cater to user needs during heat waves, while also balancing operational efficiency with the well-being of gig workers.
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Extreme weather events, ranging from heat waves to hurricanes, have been intensified due to global warming. This poses a significant challenge for outdoor workers such as food delivery couriers. During periods of extreme heat, couriers working for companies like Meituan in China, Glovo in Spain, and Swiggy in India are under immense pressure to complete deliveries promptly, facing penalties for delays and health hazards. Furthermore, food couriers often do not have formal worker status, leaving them without essential employment benefits.
