Hong Kong Delivery Drivers Raise Concerns Over Injury Compensation

Delivery drivers in Hong Kong are raising concerns over proposed and current injury compensation schemes, citing low payout amounts and prolonged waiting periods following road accidents on the job.

Raj Bhattarai, a delivery rider in his 40s and the sole breadwinner for his family, experienced severe financial hardship after a vehicle rear-ended his motorcycle roughly a year ago. The collision left him with a back injury that required him to take a month of sick leave, directly disrupting his regular monthly income of approximately HK$30,000.

Despite the length of his recovery and loss of earnings, Bhattarai had to wait 10 months before receiving his compensation settlement. The final payout totaled HK$3,000 (US$382), an amount he described as completely inadequate for supporting his family and covering living expenses.

The incident underscores broader frustration among food and package delivery workers across the city regarding safety nets and financial relief mechanisms for platform-based couriers when injuries occur while performing their duties.