Abstract
Labour-management practices and workers' experiences in the gig economy are topics of major interest for researchers, regulators and the general public. Platform companies project a vision of gig workers as autonomous freelancers, but pervasive features of their own labour practices, along with workers� traits, create new vulnerabilities and risks. Efforts to improve gig workers� conditions to date have made in-roads without achieving a general shift in platforms� practices or gig workers� conditions. In this paper, we explore how another, less-recognised stakeholder group�consumers�shapes the conditions of gig work. Drawing on Australian public opinion data, we study consumers� views of the gig economy and ask whether these will help or hinder pro-worker campaigns. While consumers are sympathetic to gig workers� financial plight, they also see benefits in the work�s flexibility and opportunities for jobseekers. We explain how our findings can inform advocacy campaigns and further gig economy research.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-19 |
Journal | New Technology, Work and Employment |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2020 |