News & Politics
The gig economy has the potential to revolutionise work, offering more independence for workers, but this ‘flexibility’ can easily turn into insecurity and exploitation. And while app-based bosses are new, the age old issues of low pay and precarious work remain prevalent across Britain’s labour market. In his new book, Professor Jeremias Prassl offers an engaging account of work in the gig economy, highlighting the competing narratives of on-demand gigs offering entrepreneurial flexibility, and precarious work controlled by user ratings and algorithmic surveillance. Journalist James Bloodworth offers further insight in his new book through his experience of working and living off the proceeds of gruelling low paid jobs in Britain over six months. The two are joined by Kate Bell, head of economics at the TUC to dicuss what can be done.