Sceptics or supporters? Consumers' views of work in the gig economy

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.