The Delivery Rider Special Act Has Passed Its Third Reading!

Since multinational delivery platforms entered Taiwan in 2012, delivery services have become a part of our daily lives. However, the rights and interests of delivery riders, partner merchants, and consumers have long been stuck in a legal gray area, leaving riders to bear high risks and unstable working environments on their own. Yesterday, the "Act for the Protection of Rights and Interests of Delivery Riders and the Management of Delivery Platforms" passed its third reading in the Legislative Yuan, providing riders who work hard on the streets with greater security for the future.

Since 2020, the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) Caucus has spearheaded the push for amendments regarding #RiderRights in the legislature. In 2023, we sent the #FirstDraftOfTheSpecialAct for committee review. Throughout this period, we held numerous discussion meetings with rider unions to fight for institutional guarantees.

Looking back at the past few years, the central government refused to act, so local governments had to lead the way. During his tenure as Mayor, Ko Wen-je pioneered the completion of the "Taipei City Self-Government Ordinance for the Management of Delivery Platform Operators" in 2019. Subsequently, the other six special municipalities followed suit, but without a central "parent law," coordinated management was impossible. Later, during the presidential election, KP included the "Delivery Platform Practitioners' Rights Protection Act" as a key policy of the TPP.

Now that the "Delivery Rider Special Act" has finally completed its third reading, riders who have long faced unfair conditions finally have legal backing. The Act further clarifies the rights and obligations between riders, consumers, merchants, and platform operators, helping to reduce disputes, protect rights, and give the public peace of mind.

The new law is expected to take effect 6 months after presidential promulgation. The core highlights of this amendment include:

1. Minimum Pay Floor: The basic remuneration per order must not be lower than NT$45, securing the rider's income baseline.
2. Transparency: Publicize the platform's pricing formula to end the opaque, "black box" salary cuts.
3. Appeal Mechanism: Establish a platform appeal system so that when a rider's rights are damaged, they are no longer left without recourse.
4. Mandatory Insurance: Compel platforms to provide accident insurance for riders so that riders no longer bear the risks alone.

We are also glad to see that after blocking the Delivery Rider Special Act for many years, legislators from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) finally realized the necessity of caring for rider rights and joined the cause. However, behind the various staged photo ops to claim credit, the people will clearly remember that all DPP-related proposals were proposed #OnlyAfterScheduling. Minister of Labor #HungSunHan even promised to propose a delivery rider special act within 3 months; yet now that the bill has passed the third reading, the Ministry of Labor's version is no where to be seen.

The completion of legislation is just the first step. Success relies on the administrative system and local governments to truly implement the system and continue to refine it—this is the responsibility of political workers. We must also solemnly and sincerely pay tribute to everyone who has spoken up for rider rights along this journey: Thank you for your hard work!