(Footage by Qiu Bo and Wang Chenxu/Xinhua Daily)

Zhang Haiqiu, a deputy chief of the Social Affairs Bureau in Suzhou's Xiangcheng Economic Development Zone, documented his two-week experience as a delivery worker in his diary.

Zhang began his daily hustle at 7:30 a.m. at a Rt-Mart supermarket, taking orders, picking goods, packing and delivering.

He was among the seven local officials participating in a "job swap" campaign, assuming roles within the gig economy as ride-hailing drivers or delivery workers, with the aims of fully understanding the community needs and improving government services.

"Working independently makes people feel isolated, as there’s little communication between delivery workers," Zhang wrote in his notes. He also noted that the placement of community stations designed to assist the delivery workers needs reevaluation, since most of them tend to rest in front of the restaurants, staying ready to take orders at any time.

Zhang’s accounts have garnered significant online attention as China’s national lawmakers and political advisors discussed the rights and interests of those in flexible employment during the “two sessions”.

"Only by genuinely addressing the concerns of delivery workers and enhancing their social security can they feel secure and confident in their tasks,” said Zhang.

As the job swap experience concluded, he emphasized that his department would take more measures to improve the wellbeing of flexible workforce.