Work and Security in the Gig Economy

The gig economy is on the rise in many societies, spurred by digital platforms that provide instant matches between the supply and demand of services. This frees businesses and workers from traditional employment contracts and obligations, and offers both parties considerable flexibility to respond to the market. However, existing regulations, employee benefit schemes and social security regimes are often poorly suited to such work arrangements, leaving workers exposed to the risks of income disruptions and old-age poverty.

This study interrogates the balance of flexibility and instability in the gig economy, and the ways in which workers reconcile income volatility with longer-term financial goals in areas such as housing, children’s education and retirement income security.