Pots of gold await in China’s gig economy: how mobile technology is transforming the world’s biggest jobs market
Advances in mobile internet and e-payment services allows talent to be paid wherever and whenever, creating opportunities for 400 million people to be self-employed by 2036, according to AliResearch
By most measures, Hai Zhenzhen has the perfect job.
The 21-year-old high school graduate works from home, answers to nobody, and pretty much can work whenever she wants.
Using a smartphone-based application called UpLive, she live streams videos of herself doing chores, singing or just chatting with people for two hours every weekday. Without needing to engage in pornography, phone sex or anything remotely risque, all that’s required of Hai is to look pretty on camera as she goes about her daily routine, all the while receiving digital gifts from a mostly male fan club.
The gifts, which range from digital bouquets of roses to strands of pearls, jewellery or even cars and yachts, can be converted into cash, of which she splits half the value with the platform that hosts her broadcasts.
