Hong Kong: Despite a challenging political environment, Hong Kong food delivery workers have been staging strikes since May 2025 against Keeta, a rapidly growing food delivery platform owned by Chinese on-demand service giant Meituan. The strikes highlight the riders' grievances over reduced earnings due to the platform's algorithmic management. According to Global Voices, approximately 270 riders working for Keeta have initiated strikes, protesting against what they perceive as an unfair system that has diminished their income. These strikes follow the exit of British delivery company Deliveroo from the Hong Kong market, which occurred after a price war with Keeta, a newcomer to Hong Kong's food delivery scene since May 2023. Keeta, despite being a late entrant, quickly surpassed its competitors, becoming the leading food delivery service in Hong Kong by the first quarter of 2024. Its market share reached 43%, overtaking Singaporean-owned Foodpanda and squeezing out Deliveroo. The platform's rapid growth i s attributed to its algorithm-driven management systems, similar to those used by its competitors, to ensure efficient service delivery. Both Keeta and Foodpanda utilize a tiered pay structure for workers, with motorcyclists earning the highest rates and foot couriers the lowest. To address labor shortages during peak times, these platforms adjust payment models, pushing workers to accept double or triple delivery tasks. This practice forces couriers to rush during busy periods and leaves them with lower earnings when demand decreases. The Delivery Workers Rights Concern Group reported 19 workplace injuries in 2024. However, as delivery workers are classified as self-employed, they receive no compensation for work-related injuries. Previous small-scale protests by workers from all three platforms have occurred, but Keeta is now facing intensified scrutiny. Following Deliveroo's exit, Keeta reduced rider pay rates for both long and short-distance deliveries and introduced new features that exacerbate worker exploitation. The K Go scheme, a controversial component of Keeta's strategy, diminishes delivery workers' pay rates in exchange for prioritized task assignments. The "Grab the Task" alert feature requires workers to constantly monitor the app, even while driving, to secure orders. Many riders, like Khan, have suffered injuries due to this system, highlighting the safety risks involved. Strikes have erupted throughout Hong Kong, with food delivery workers demanding the abolition of the K Go and Grab the Task features, higher pay rates, and formal employment contracts. In response, the Hong Kong government has pledged to introduce regulations to safeguard delivery workers' rights and established a dialogue group to propose solutions. However, the political crackdown on labor unions and the struggling restaurant industry have weakened the workers' bargaining power. As Keeta expands into Saudi Arabia and Brazil, it remains to be seen how its practices will be received in these new markets.
