May: Research on workers in the gig economy | News and Features

[ad_1]

As the cost of living continues to soar, a new report shows more than half of gig economy workers in the UK are paid below minimum wage.

The first study of its kind, conducted by the University of Bristol, found that 52% of construction workers doing jobs ranging from data entry to food delivery earned less than minimum wage. On average, respondents earned £8.97 an hour, around 15% less than the current UK minimum wage, which rose to £10.42 this month.

More than three-quarters (76%) of survey respondents also experienced work-related insecurity and anxiety.

Lead author Dr Alex Wood, senior lecturer in human resource management and the future of work at the University of Bristol’s business school, said: “The findings underscore that working in the gig economy in the UK often leads to low pay, anxiety and stress.As food, fuel and housing costs continue to rise, this group of workers are particularly vulnerable and need to be better paid and better protected.”

Equally concerning, more than a quarter (28%) felt they risked their health or safety by doing on-demand work and a quarter (25%) experienced pain at work.

When asked what would improve their situation, basic rights such as minimum wage rates, sick leave and pay, and protection against unfair dismissal were the most sought after.

Trade unions and platform committees (similar to works councils that exist in some European countries) to represent their needs and help influence the operation of gig economy platforms and affect their working conditions were included also on their wish list. More than three-quarters of respondents thought the introduction of such bodies would bring immediate benefits.

Dr Wood said: “A major contributing factor to low pay rates is that this job involves spending a lot of time waiting or looking for work while connected to a platform. Not only is the job low paid , but it is also extremely insecure and risky.

“The self-employed who rely on platforms to make a living urgently need labor protections to shield them from the huge asymmetries of power that exist in the sector. This clearly justifies expanding the current status of “worker” for protect. .”

The study involved 510 UK gig economy workers who were interviewed last year. There was representation from across the industry, with around half of them being remote freelancers using platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr to land jobs ranging from data entry to website design. The other half was made up of local drivers providing food delivery and taxi services through platforms such as Deliveroo and Uber.

More than just hustling for extra cash, respondents spent an average of 28 hours a week doing gig work, which accounts for 60% of their total earnings.

Respondents overwhelmingly considered their work to be best described as self-employment and believed that an extension of labor rights to include self-employed workers would significantly improve their working lives.

This was the first research to determine what forms of voice workers wanted. The results suggest strong support for European-style co-management in which worker representatives are consulted and agree to changes that impact working conditions and employment. The works councils that exist in countries like Germany could therefore provide a model for councils and platform assemblies in the gig economy to give workers a say in decisions. that affect their ability to earn a living.

Brendan Burchell, professor of social science at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the report, added: “Respondents felt strongly that the creation of co-management mechanisms would allow workers and their representatives to influence supplier decisions. platforms that could instantly improve their working lives.

“These policies include elected bodies of worker representatives approving all major platform changes that impact jobs and working conditions. Our findings underscore the potential for union growth in this sector, with majorities willing to join and even organize such bodies.”

[ad_2]