China's Deaf-Mute Mail Delivery Team Helps Postal Services in Shanghai

Meet Shanghai’s deaf-mute courier team who are contributing to China’s growing demand for logistics and delivery services during the coronavirus pandemic. Shanghai authorities have been cooperating with several courier companies to create new positions specifically for deaf-mute employees, offering opportunities for the new hires to significantly increase their income in one of the country's most crucial and fast-growing industries.

The new group of employees have been settling into their work at a distribution point in the city's Hongkou District, where they are kept busy unloading and organizing packages before heading out to deliver them around the city.

Though the new couriers suffered in the beginning because of some communication problems, they have quickly grown into their role and can each deliver an average of 200 packages during the day, winning them wide praise from clients.

"We are very glad to see this situation, which contributes a lot to solve the employment issue for deaf-mute citizens. In addition, it also advocates a concept of charity across the whole society," said Jin Liwei, director of a local community service office.

The new couriers are also happy in their role and hope to go far within the company.

"We have a reasonable promotion system, with fair competition for positions," said Shi Chengkai, a deaf-mute courier, via sign language.

The leader of the deaf-mute courier group, Xu Shengliang, has demonstrated a hardworking attitude over the past half year, with many locals in the community becoming familiar with him and giving a thumbs up to his efficient service.

"I can earn 7,000 to 8,000 yuan ($1,027 to $1,173) every month which is just like a regular salary. I wish I can make 10,000 yuan ($1,466) per month in the future, so I have been devoting myself to the job and aiming to improve myself," said Xu, as he continued with his personal mission to deliver 130 parcels by lunchtime.

Like all members of staff, the deaf-mute couriers enjoy the same payment standard and bonus system as their colleagues, which is determined by the number of packages they deliver. Organizers say that this is an important part of the drive for equality.

"The original purpose of this project is to create a fair and harmonious working and living environment for deaf-mute people. Also, I hope those receiving packages, and even all sectors of society, can be more inclusive to them," said Gu Zhong, initiator of the project as well as the director of a local social worker office.

The unprecedented development of the COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown procedures placed a greater demand on the logistics industry and package distribution services at the beginning of the year. The deaf-mute couriers were able to step up to these challenges, bringing benefits not only to their own life, but also playing their part to contribute to the logistics sector as a whole.

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