Chapter 8: Job Quality in the Platform-based Food Delivery Sector in Taiwan from a Gender Perspective Available to Purchase

This chapter investigates the working conditions of food delivery couriers in Taiwan, with a focus on gender differences, using a mixed-methods approach that includes online surveys and interviews. The study reveals that despite the perceived flexibility offered by food delivery platforms, earnings are generally low, and couriers face significant physical, mental health, and safety risks. Gender disparities emerge in multiple areas, including income, working hours, and experiences in the work environment. The findings suggest that flexible working hours impact men and women differently, often reinforcing traditional gender roles – where men are expected to be breadwinners and women are tasked with balancing paid work alongside domestic responsibilities.