If you have ever ordered food through an app or booked a ride with a driver using their own car, you have taken part in the gig economy. The term describes a in which people work on short-term tasks, or "gigs", rather than in jobs.
Supporters argue that gig work offers remarkable . Workers can choose when and how much they work, which suits students, parents and people looking to earn extra alongside another job. For companies, it reduces costs, since they only pay for work when it is needed.
Critics, however, highlight the . Gig workers are usually classed as , which means they often have no paid holidays, sick pay or . Their can fluctuate dramatically from week to week, and the apps that assign their work can change the rules at any time. Some describe a feeling of being managed by an rather than a human boss.
Governments around the world are struggling to . Some courts have that certain gig workers should be treated as employees with basic rights, while other countries have created new categories of worker altogether. What seems clear is that the gig economy is here to stay; the question is how to make it fair for everyone involved.