Chinese Professor’s Remark on Gig Work as ‘Welfare’ Sparks Fierce Online Backlash

A comment by Peking University economics professor Zhang Dandan that “flexibility itself is a form of welfare” has triggered a sharp online backlash across China, highlighting deep public anxiety over precarious work.

Speaking on a popular financial talk show last week, Zhang, deputy dean of the National School of Development, argued from a labour-economics perspective that gig workers gain control over their time in exchange for weaker social protections, while regular employees trade flexibility for pensions and benefits.

The remarks went viral over the weekend. Social media users accused the professor of being out of touch with the realities faced by China’s vast flexible workforce, estimated by some reports at more than 200 million people—roughly a quarter of the labour force.

Many pointed to long hours, low pay, lack of insurance and the difficulty of securing stable full-time jobs in a slowing economy. Zhang did not respond to requests for comment.

The controversy underscores broader tensions in China’s labour market as traditional employment becomes harder to find and the social safety net struggles to cover informal workers. Experts note that the rise of gig and flexible work carries long-term risks for pensions and welfare systems already under strain.