Stripping back the mask: Working conditions on digital labour platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic
Publication date
2022-09
Authors
Howson, Kelle
Ustek-Spilda, Funda
Bertolini, Alessio
Heeks, Richard
Ferrari, Fabian
Katta, Srujana
Cole, Matthew
Aguera Reneses, Pablo
Salem, Nancy
Sutcliffe, David
Editors
Advisors
Supervisors
Document Type
Article
Metadata
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License
cc_by
Abstract
Digital labour platforms have been widely promoted as a solution to the unemployment crisis sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has also highlighted the vulnerability of gig workers when cast as essential workers. This article examines the COVID-19 policies of 191 platforms in 43 countries to understand how the crisis has shifted the conventions of the gig economy. Using a typology of “fair platform work”, the authors identify areas of progress in worker protection but also significant shortfalls, including the entrenchment of precarious work as platforms leverage the opportunities arising from the crisis.
Keywords
gig economy, COVID-19, future of work, digital labour platforms, labour rights, precarious employment, working conditions, SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
Citation
Howson, K, Ustek-Spilda, F, Bertolini, A, Heeks, R, Ferrari, F, Katta, S, Cole, M, Aguera Reneses, P, Salem, N, Sutcliffe, D, Steward, S & Graham, M 2022, 'Stripping back the mask: Working conditions on digital labour platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic', International Labour Review, vol. 161, no. 3, pp. 413-440. https://doi.org/10.1111/ilr.12222