The gig economy is nothing new. Nor is it inherently bad for workers. Artists and tradespeople have relied on gig work for centuries. It provides much flexibility, which many workers need, and which explains why it remains a popular option.
However, the rise of internet-based platforms that profit by mediating the relationship between gig workers and their customers has fueled the expansion of the sector into many new parts of the economy and created new opportunities for exploitation and abuse. A slew of recent studies confirm many people’s worst fears about the gig economy: A significant share of gig workers makes less than their state minimum wage, platform algorithms often result in wage theft, and gig workers are more likely to be injured on the job.
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