A video: “Ordering with apps: Why gig workers are suffering”

Having food delivered through the tap of an app is part of everyday life. Even care workers can be gig workers now. Algorithms decide who gets the job. What does this mean for the labor market and consumers? #Technology #dwdigital #gigwork #careworkers #App #Deliverydrivers #Drivingwork #Uber

Here are some timestamped highlights from the video:

The Gig Economy and its Challenges
* 00:00:05: The video introduces the “platform economy,” where workers are managed by algorithms, highlighting ethical questions, especially in sectors like healthcare.
* 00:00:13: The video explains that the “lowest bid wins” rule pits workers against each other, leading to an unstable gig economy.
* 00:00:37: Millions of people are engaged in gig work, such as delivering packages and training AI, attracted by the pitch of working on their own terms.
* 00:00:46: This flexibility comes at a cost, often resulting in tough working conditions.

Challenges for Female Delivery Drivers in Mexico City
* 00:01:21: The video focuses on female delivery drivers in Mexico City, noting that while the apps initially offered flexibility for women to balance work and family, they now require continuous hours during peak demand to maintain a good rating.
* 00:01:44: Female delivery drivers experience sexual harassment from customers and avoid going out at night for safety.
* 00:02:22: A delivery driver named Shyra explains that the panic button on apps like Uber is “useless” and mentions a case where a female delivery woman was killed.
* 00:02:35: For years, female drivers have asked platforms to mark risk zones so they can refuse deliveries there without their ratings being negatively impacted.
* 00:02:50: Shyra explains that women move slower than men, who can accept more orders and deliver to “hot zones,” which can lower a woman’s rating if she rejects such a delivery.

Fighting for Worker’s Rights
* 00:03:05: Shyra joined the National Union of App Workers to push for changes and meets with colleagues at a safe restaurant, known as an “orange point,” which provides a place for them to gather and take cover.
* 00:03:33: The union succeeded in a legal reform to designate delivery drivers as workers, which grants them access to social security, pensions, and housing assistance.
* 00:04:03: The new law in Mexico requires apps to establish a protocol against gender-based violence, but Shyra remains skeptical about whether strong measures are being taken.
* 00:04:11: Platforms have reacted negatively to the reform, with rates dropping and companies finding ways to avoid making real concessions.

The Future of Gig Work
* 00:05:13: The video mentions that some tech companies are already working on making gig workers redundant through the use of driverless cars and delivery robots.
* 00:05:34: The video shifts to the US healthcare system, where hospitals are using apps to book nursing staff as needed to combat underfunding.
* 00:05:50: These platforms use AI scheduling tools that are compared to dating apps to match understaffed facilities with available nurses.
* 00:06:15: This system creates risks for patient safety because nurses are often assigned to facilities they have never worked at and may lack basic information like how to log in to a portal to check patient medications.
* 00:07:18: Some platforms require workers to underbid competitors to get a shift, leading to an algorithm, not a human, deciding who gets the job.
* 00:08:15: Gig workers feel helpless when algorithms are non-transparent, as they are not able to strategically deal with the algorithm’s requirements.
* 00:09:21: The lack of transparency extends to what data is collected, with driver location being tracked around the clock, even when they are not on shift.

Positive Example of the Platform Economy
* 00:10:08: The video presents a positive example of the platform economy in Nairobi, where a new app called Braiding Nairobi connects hair braiders with clients.
* 00:10:42: The app’s founder, Natachi, gives hair braiders more visibility online by writing a story about their lives and careers for their profile.
* 00:11:18: Salon owners who use the app are able to set their own prices, and customers cover the added fee for home visits.

Conclusion
* 00:11:51: The video concludes that while the platform economy offers flexibility, concerns remain about job security, transparency, and workers’ rights. It emphasizes the need for clear rules, safeguards, and a voice for workers to ensure that technology serves people.

You can view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrfA0GpFgqQ.
http://googleusercontent.com/youtube_content/1