Hong Kong food delivery rider John Lam* cannot afford to make a single mistake while working.

The 40-year-old takes extreme care while delivering orders on his motorcycle, knowing that if he has a work-related accident he will receive few employment benefits and minimal compensation.

“I understand that being highly responsive to my phone can lead to more orders. But for safety reasons, I only handle my phone when my vehicle has completely stopped,” said Lam, who delivers food for the city’s two online platforms, Foodpanda and Meituan’s Keeta.

“The risk of an accident simply isn’t worth gaining an order slightly faster. I prioritise safe driving and rarely weave through traffic, even on a motorcycle, because road conditions are unpredictable.”

Lam, who put his earnings at HK$45,000 (US$5,730) to HK$50,000 a month on average from a 10-hour shift six days a week, said he was fully aware of the risks when he started working with online food delivery platforms five years ago, but the money was too good to pass up.

“While consistent food delivery work can lead to a very good income, the major downside is that it leaves couriers like me without essential basic and labour protections,” he said. “It would be nice if the government regulated the industry, granting us employee status and entitling us to annual leave, sick leave and a pension.”