Govt plans work injury protection law for delivery platform workers

Hong Kong is set to legislate an enhanced work injury compensation (WIC) mechanism for digital platform workers this year, with the initial phase focusing on food and goods delivery riders, according to Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han.

In a written response to lawmaker Lam Wai-kong on Wednesday, Sun acknowledged that the working relationships between digital platforms and their workers are often complex and unclear, leaving many without well-defined statutory protection in cases of workplace injury.

Following stakeholder consultations held since last October—including discussions with platform companies, labor groups, and the insurance sector—the government has decided to advance a legislative proposal within the year.

The first phase will target food and goods delivery personnel and will be guided by three core principles.

The proposed mechanism will establish a clear legal basis to provide certainty over protections for digital platform workers who are injured or killed while working.

It will also define the scope, coverage, and details of compensation in a way that strengthens worker protections while taking into account the financial sustainability of platform companies and the development of the industry.

In addition, the implementation arrangements will be designed to be straightforward, in order to minimize disputes over compensation.

Sun said the new framework will draw reference from the existing Employees’ Compensation Ordinance while incorporating feedback from stakeholders.

Given the rapid evolution of digital platform services, he said the government is moving “at full steam” to enhance protections for workers in the emerging sector.