The "Voiceless Knights" Delivering Food: Chengdu, China - Asia Insight

Summary

The video showcases the rise of food delivery services in China, highlighting the unique experiences of delivery workers with hearing impairments, known as 'voiceless knights.' These workers, using text-to-voice apps, overcome challenges in an industry worth over $200 billion. It follows the stories of several individuals, such as Jiao, who despite being deaf, works hard to support his family. The piece also explores the role of a restaurant that hires deaf employees, helping them develop skills for independent living. Through perseverance and innovation, these workers find pride and purpose, contributing to a fast-growing and evolving market.

Takeaways

• 😀 China has the world's largest food delivery industry, valued at over $200 billion, with 540 million users and 10 million delivery workers.
• 😀 A growing number of delivery staff with hearing impairments are joining the workforce, thanks to text-to-voice apps that help them perform tasks.
• 😀 These delivery workers, who call themselves 'voiceless knights,' are overcoming challenges and earning a living with pride.
• 😀 A restaurant specifically hires people with hearing impairments, providing them with valuable skills to enter the food delivery industry.
• 😀 Jiao, a deaf delivery worker, relies on sign language and smartphone apps to communicate orders and complete deliveries successfully.
• 😀 Delivery staff must compete for work based on factors like distance, time limits, and pay, with consequences for late deliveries.
• 😀 Deaf workers use AI text-to-voice apps to communicate with customers, allowing for a smoother delivery experience despite the inability to speak.
• 😀 Jiao earns about $1,100 a month, which is 1.5 times the average starting salary of a college graduate in China, making food delivery an attractive job for deaf individuals.
• 😀 Some customers have complained about rude text messages from voiceless knights, highlighting the challenges of translating sign language into written text.
• 😀 The 'Voiceless Restaurant' trains deaf workers, giving them a chance to learn essential skills like cooking and delivery in a supportive environment.
• 😀 Workers from the Voiceless Restaurant grow both professionally and personally, as they become more proactive and gain confidence in their work and social interactions.

Q & A

What is the size of China's food delivery industry and how fast is it growing?

China's food delivery industry is the largest in the world, with a market size of over $200 billion. The market has doubled in just three years, and approximately 540 million people use food delivery services across China.

How many delivery staff are employed in China’s food delivery industry?

More than 10 million delivery staff are employed to handle food delivery orders in China, responding to new orders every second.

What challenges do delivery staff with hearing impairments face in this industry?

Delivery staff with hearing impairments face challenges like the inability to hear app notifications or traffic sounds. However, they use text-to-voice apps to communicate with customers, allowing them to perform their tasks effectively.

What term do delivery workers with hearing impairments use to describe themselves?

Workers with hearing impairments in the food delivery industry refer to themselves as 'voiceless Knights,' taking pride in their work despite the challenges.

How does Jia Shmo manage his deliveries despite being deaf?

Jia Shmo relies on visual cues while driving, checks his route carefully at traffic stops, and uses a smartphone AI app to communicate with customers via text-to-voice technology.

What is the average income of a deaf delivery worker like Jia?

Jia Shmo earns about $1,100 a month, which is 1.5 times the average starting salary for college graduates in China.

What societal issues have been raised regarding communication between deaf delivery workers and customers?

A 2022 social media post about voiceless Knights sparked debate, with some customers complaining that the text messages sent by deaf workers were rude. This highlights the communication challenges deaf workers face, as they often rely on written language, which may not always convey their intended tone.

How does the 'Voiceless Restaurant' contribute to the employment of people with hearing impairments?

The 'Voiceless Restaurant' hires deaf workers, teaching them skills in delivery, cooking, and serving. This provides them with valuable work experience and opportunities for independence.

What are some of the personal struggles experienced by workers like Jiao?

Jiao, who was adopted as a child and grew up in difficult circumstances, wants to provide a better life for his family. He also faces challenges in his personal life, such as his wife’s daughter not yet fully accepting him as a father.

What is the significance of the relationship between Jia and other deaf workers at the 'Voiceless Restaurant'?

The workers at the 'Voiceless Restaurant' share a sense of equality and respect. They work together to overcome communication barriers and help each other grow in their professional and personal lives.