Research into the gig economy and its precarious workplace conditions indicates that consumer attitudes towards often vulnerable workers are still largely influenced by platform providers.
The problem
For more than a decade, gig work has been under the spotlight over unsafe conditions, low pay, and the exploitation of vulnerable workers. Despite government efforts in many countries to address the precarity of gig work, platform companies have fought back to maintain the status quo. In some cases, gig platforms have successfully influenced consumers to block action by regulators.
The research
Dr Pekarek and his colleagues argue that consumers’ attitudes are an important but overlooked factor in efforts to improve conditions for gig workers. His research shows that while Australians are sensitive to gig workers’ conditions, especially around financial insecurity, consumers’ attitudes and actions tend to reinforce rather than resist the precarity these workers face.
The impact
With the platform model expanding to other types of work, including disability and aged care, the issue of workers’ conditions only looks set to grow. While Australia’s Fair Work Commission can now intervene to improve gig workers’ conditions, Dr Pekarek notes, “Our research suggests policymakers need to remain attentive to consumer attitudes and mindful of platform companies’ power to influence them.”
Department: Management
Area: Policy, politics and law
Researchers
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