The Current Status and Challenges of Labor Rights Protection for Flexible Employment among the Older Population: An Analysis Based on Typical Regions in China

Chang Guo

doi:10.54097/qq4j4w49

Authors

Chang Guo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/qq4j4w49

Keywords:

Older workers, social security, Aging, Life course, Employment rights.

Abstract

In the context of rapid population aging and the informalization of the labor force, older flexible workers have become an essential part of the workforce structure, and their labor rights protection has become increasingly complex. This paper, based on a mixed-methods study of older flexible workers in typical regions of China, systematically analyzes their employment characteristics, rights status, and the institutional causes behind these issues. The study finds that this group is highly concentrated in low-skill, high-risk jobs such as sanitation, cleaning, and security, and commonly faces problems such as unclear labor relations, excessive working hours, unstable income, inadequate social security coverage, and accumulated occupational health risks. The current labor protection system, centered around standard labor relations, is insufficient to accommodate the unique life course, employment forms, and risk structures of this group, leading to institutional exclusion and a lack of rights protection. Using the framework of life course and labor market segmentation theory, this paper reveals the structural mismatch between demographic transitions and labor protection systems, providing empirical evidence for the construction of more inclusive labor and social policies in the context of aging.

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