China to improve social security for flexible workers, boost insurance coverage
Premier Li Qiang said China must improve social security for flexible workers and gradually raise participation rates, citing demographic shifts and new employment forms. He called for sustainable social security funds and fairer, tiered welfare systems.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for improvements to the social security system for flexible workers, as demographic changes, technological advances and the diversification of employment pose new challenges to the welfare system. Speaking at a thematic meeting reported by state broadcaster CCTV, Li said the country must gradually increase the rate of social security participation among such workers and strengthen the protection of their rights.
Li stressed the need to enhance the long-term sustainability of social security funds, and to strengthen the supervision of fund safety and value preservation. He also called for revisions to social security laws and regulations to adapt to changing circumstances.
The premier said the government must make the social security system fairer and steadily raise pension levels for urban and rural residents. He also called for improving the tiered and targeted social assistance system.
The comments, made on 12 November 2026, underline the government's focus on extending social protection to the growing number of workers in non-standard employment, including those in the gig economy, as China's labour market undergoes rapid transformation.