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.

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.