The Gig Economy Project

Hosted by The Gig Economy Project

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Latest episode

Jun 2024

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EN-GB

About the show

The Gig Economy Project is a media network for gig workers in Europe, seeking to promote efforts to transform work in the digital age. We publish on the the Brave New Europe website, see here: https://braveneweurope.com/the-gig-economy-project Bike couriers, ‘micro-taskers’, home care workers, & many more who work on-demand in the digital platform economy & have few job protections are at the sharpest edge of capitalist exploitation, but are also providing some of the most creative and powerful forms of resistance in the working class today. This podcast provides insight into that resistance.

Listen to episodes

39 recent

June 29, 2024Episode 1110 min

How do gig workers take control of their data?

A Rebel’s Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 11, Ben and Marini look at how gig workers really could be their own bosses, by taking collective control of their data. They find that their a number of potential models, but what they all have in common is a democratisation of work. Previous episodes: Ep 1: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is the gig economy?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 2: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why are gig workers paid-per-task?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 3: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is the algorithm?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 4: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Are gig workers their ‘own boss’?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 5: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Is gig work really ‘flexible’?⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 6: ⁠⁠⁠Is the gig economy really a “godsend” for women?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 7: ⁠⁠⁠Is the gig economy good for migrants & ethnic minorities?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 8: ⁠⁠What makes platforms powerful?⁠⁠ Ep 9: ⁠Why do gig platforms struggle to turn a profit?⁠ The Gig Economy Project is a BRAVE NEW EUROPE media network for gig workers in Europe. Click here to find out more and click here to get the weekly newsletter.

June 27, 2024Episode 1012 min

Why should gig workers join a union?

A Rebel’s Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 10, Ben and Marini look at the power gig workers have if they join together in a union. They find that despite many hurdles to victory, there are already inspiring examples of gig workers striking and winning. Previous episodes: Ep 1: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is the gig economy?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 2: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Why are gig workers paid-per-task?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 3: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is the algorithm?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 4: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Are gig workers their ‘own boss’?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 5: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Is gig work really ‘flexible’?⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 6: ⁠⁠⁠Is the gig economy really a “godsend” for women?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 7: ⁠⁠⁠Is the gig economy good for migrants & ethnic minorities?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 8: ⁠⁠What makes platforms powerful?⁠⁠ Ep 9: ⁠Why do gig platforms struggle to turn a profit?⁠ Future episodes: Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 25, 2024Episode 912 min

Why do gig platforms struggle to turn a profit?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 9, Ben and Marini explain the apparent paradox of the big digital platforms being powerful globally but struggling to be profitable. They find that the core problem is that, despite being hailed as 'innovative', these platforms have not transformed the economic fundamentals of the industry sectors they operate within, which have traditionally been low-margin. Previous episodes: Ep 1: ⁠⁠⁠What is the gig economy?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 2: ⁠⁠⁠Why are gig workers paid-per-task?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 3: ⁠⁠⁠What is the algorithm?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 4: ⁠⁠⁠Are gig workers their ‘own boss’?⁠⁠⁠ Ep 5: ⁠⁠Is gig work really ‘flexible’?⁠⁠ Ep 6: ⁠Is the gig economy really a “godsend” for women?⁠ Ep 7: ⁠Is the gig economy good for migrants & ethnic minorities?⁠ Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful? Future episodes: Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 21, 2024Episode 813 min

What makes platforms powerful?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 8, Ben and Marini explain why big digital labour platforms like Uber have been able to accumulate so much power so quickly. They find that technology is only a small part of the answer. Previous episodes: Ep 1: ⁠⁠What is the gig economy?⁠⁠ Ep 2: ⁠⁠Why are gig workers paid-per-task?⁠⁠ Ep 3: ⁠⁠What is the algorithm?⁠⁠ Ep 4: ⁠⁠Are gig workers their ‘own boss’?⁠⁠ Ep 5: ⁠Is gig work really ‘flexible’?⁠ Ep 6: Is the gig economy really a “godsend” for women? Ep 7: Is the gig economy good for migrants & ethnic minorities? Future episodes: Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit? Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 19, 2024Episode 711 min

Is the gig economy good for migrants and ethnic minorities?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 7, Ben and Marini question the notion that the gig economy is a labour market boon for migrants and ethnic minorities. While the low barriers to entry mean many marginalised workers can access gig work easier than standard jobs, the low pay and precarity of the gig economy keeps these workers on the margins. Previous episodes: Ep 1: ⁠⁠What is the gig economy?⁠⁠ Ep 2: ⁠⁠Why are gig workers paid-per-task?⁠⁠ Ep 3: ⁠⁠What is the algorithm?⁠⁠ Ep 4: ⁠⁠Are gig workers their ‘own boss’?⁠⁠ Ep 5: ⁠Is gig work really ‘flexible’?⁠ Ep 6: Is the gig economy really a "godsend" for women? Future episodes: Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful? Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit? Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 17, 2024Episode 69 min

Is the gig economy really a "godsend" for women?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 6, Ben and Marini challenge the idea that the gig economy offers freedom for women from macho office environments and rigid work schedules. They find that the gig economy re-produces many of the same problems for women as standard jobs, and in some cases even reinforces the sexist double-burden of waged labour and domestic unpaid labour. Previous episodes: Ep 1: ⁠What is the gig economy?⁠ Ep 2: ⁠Why are gig workers paid-per-task?⁠ Ep 3: ⁠What is the algorithm?⁠ Ep 4: ⁠Are gig workers their ‘own boss’?⁠ Ep 5: Is gig work really 'flexible'? Future episodes: Ep 7: is platform work good for ethnic minorities? Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful? Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit? Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 15, 2024Episode 511 min

Is gig work really 'flexible'?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 5, Ben and Marini challenge the widely espoused notion that working in the gig economy offers workers 'flexibility'. They find that to have true flexibility in your life requires social protections and economic security, neither of which are on offer in the gig economy. Previous episodes: Ep 1: What is the gig economy? Ep 2: Why are gig workers paid-per-task? Ep 3: What is the algorithm? Ep 4: Are gig workers their 'own boss'? Future episodes: Ep 6: is the gig economy really “a godsend” for women? Ep 7: is platform work good for ethnic minorities? Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful? Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit? Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, iTunes or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 13, 2024Episode 411 min

Are gig workers their 'own boss'?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 4, Ben and Marini take down the myth that food delivery couriers and drivers working on a digital labour platform are their 'own boss'. They find that employment misclassification is a means for platforms to avoid their responsibilities to their workers. Previous episodes: Ep 1: What is the gig economy? Ep 2: Why are gig workers paid-per-task? Ep 3: What is the algorithm? Future episodes: Ep 5: is gig work really flexible? Ep 6: is the gig economy really “a godsend” for women? Ep 7: is platform work good for ethnic minorities? Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful? Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit? Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, iTunes or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel’s Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 11, 2024Episode 311 min

What is the algorithm?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In Episode 3, Ben and Marini uncover the secrets of 'the algorithm'; the method by which management instructions are delivered via an app. They find that algorithms accentuate the power imbalance between bosses and workers, especially when the rules which govern them remain a 'black box' for workers. If you want to catch-up with the first two episodes of the A Rebel's Guide series, click here. Future episodes: Ep 4: Are gig workers really their own boss? Ep 5: is gig work really flexible? Ep 6: is the gig economy really "a godsend" for women? Ep 7: is platform work good for ethnic minorities? Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful? Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit? Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, iTunes or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel's Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.

June 6, 2024Episode 211 min

Why are gig workers paid per task?

A Rebel's Guide to the Gig Economy is a series of podcasts by journalist Ben Wray and researcher Marini Thorne which gets behind the tech jargon and the CEO propaganda to examine the reality of work in the gig economy and look at how gig workers can challenge the power of their algorithmic bosses. In this second episode, Ben and Marini look at the payment model in the gig economy, where workers are not paid for their whole time at work but only the time it takes to complete a task. They find that pay-per-task, which used to be known as 'piece wages', is a lever for lengthening the working day and lowering wages. If you want to catch-up with episode 1 in the Rebel's Guide series, 'What is the Gig Economy?', click here. Future episodes: Ep 3: What is the algorithm? Part 2: Myth busting the gig economy Ep 4: Are gig workers really their own boss? Ep 5: is gig work really flexible? Ep 6: is the gig economy really "a godsend" for women? Ep 7: is platform work good for ethnic minorities? Part 3: Power and the gig economy Ep 8: What makes platforms powerful Ep 9: Why do platforms struggle to turn a profit? Ep 10: Why should gig workers join a union? Ep 11: How do gig workers get power over their data? You can keep up-to-date with all future episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or at BraveNewEurope.com/The-Gig-Economy-Project. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @Project_gig. If you have any feedback on the Rebel's Guide series, email GEP@BraveNewEurope.com.