Stripping back the mask: Working conditions on digital labour platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kelle Howson; Funda Ustek-Spilda; Alessio Bertolini; Richard Heeks; Fabian Ferrari; Srujana Katta; Matthew Cole; Pablo Aguera Reneses; Nancy Salem; David Sutcliffe; Shelly Steward; Mark Graham

doi:10.1111/ilr.12222

Stripping back the mask: Working conditions on digital labour platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kelle Howson
, Funda Ustek-Spilda
, Alessio Bertolini
, Richard Heeks
, Fabian Ferrari
, Srujana Katta
, Matthew Cole
, Pablo Aguera Reneses
, Nancy Salem
, David Sutcliffe
, Shelly Steward
, Mark Graham

ICON - Media and Performance Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	413-440
Journal	International Labour Review
Volume	161
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/ilr.12222
Publication status	Published - Sept 2022

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

Keywords

gig economy
COVID-19
future of work
digital labour platforms
labour rights
precarious employment
working conditions

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10.1111/ilr.12222Licence: CC BY

International Labour Review - 2021 - HOWSON - Stripping back the mask Working conditions on digital labour platformsFinal published version, 366 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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AU - Katta, Srujana

AU - Cole, Matthew

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Stripping back the mask: Working conditions on digital labour platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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