Feeling the heat: Beijing express courier

Ma Qinghui [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/Asianewsphoto]

His job consists of delivering and collecting packages and letters within the greater Huixinli community in Beijing’s Chaoyang district.

Summer is usually the busiest season when he delivers around 300 packages and letters and collects 100 daily.

“I have the most packages to deliver on Monday since it’s the first day of the week,” Ma said, adding that the growing popularity of online shopping has increased his workload substantially.

Ma’s day starts at 7 am and ends at nearly 10 pm, during which time he twice picks up packages from his company and delivers them door-to-door.

However hot it is, he does not take a rest during his shift because his company requires all morning packages be on the road for delivery by 1 pm and evening packages by 6 pm.

“Even when the weather went up to nearly 40 C, I was still rushing between different addresses,” Ma said.

“Water is the only thing that helps cool me down. I usually drink four two-liter bottles of water a day.”

There are days, he said, when the capital feels like a sauna.

“My shirt never gets dry, which makes me very uncomfortable.”

Ma has a 13-year-old daughter, who lives in Tonghua with her grandmother.

He returns to his hometown once a year during Spring Festival and stays with his family for a week.

“That’s my only holiday. I miss my daughter every day.” Without a hukou (or residential permit) in Beijing, Ma does not plan to bring his daughter.

“I always feel bad that I can’t spend more time with her. I hope she will understand when she grows up.”

Ma’s monthly income depends on the number of packages he delivers and collects.

On average, he earns 4,000 yuan ($647) per month. He does not receive a heat subsidy.

“I have not even heard about this,” he said, adding that he did not expect it.

Ma Qinghui [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/Asianewsphoto]