Smartphone apps have made it easy for people to earn money by delivering meals, driving passengers or completing small tasks, being paid for each job rather than receiving a fixed salary. This so-called gig economy has grown rapidly. Although it offers genuine benefits, I believe its disadvantages are currently greater.
The main advantage for workers is flexibility. A student can work in the evenings around lectures, a parent can choose hours that fit school times, and someone between jobs can start earning within days rather than weeks. For people who find it difficult to get conventional employment, gig work can provide a valuable source of income. Consumers also gain, since apps make it possible to order food or a ride at any time, usually at a competitive price, and businesses can respond to busy periods without hiring permanent staff.
However, these benefits come at a considerable cost to workers. Because they are usually classed as self-employed, gig workers often receive no sick pay, holiday pay or pension contributions. If a delivery rider is injured in a road accident, they may lose their income completely while they recover. Earnings are also unpredictable: pay rates can be changed by the company overnight, and on quiet days a worker may wait for hours without being offered a job. Since each worker deals with the app alone, they have very little power to negotiate better conditions. In effect, much of the financial risk has been moved from companies onto individuals.
In conclusion, the gig economy provides flexibility and convenience, but at present these advantages are outweighed by the insecurity faced by workers. Clearer laws ensuring basic rights, such as minimum pay and sick leave, would allow the benefits to be enjoyed more fairly.