The Gig Economy
How platforms like Uber and DoorDash transformed work, the debate over worker classification, and what gig work means for the future of employment.
The Gig Model
The gig economy describes work mediated by digital platforms, where workers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees. Uber drivers, DoorDash deliverers, Fiverr freelancers, and TaskRabbit handyworkers are all gig workers. The International Labour Organization estimates that roughly 12% of the global labor force participates in some form of platform work.
Platforms sell flexibility: work when you want, as much as you want, be your own boss. For some workers -- students, caregivers, those seeking supplementary income -- this flexibility is genuine and valued. But for those who depend on gig work as primary income, the reality is often precarious: no health insurance, no retirement benefits, no paid leave, no minimum wage guarantees, and income that fluctuates with demand and algorithmic pricing.
