COVID-19 News

Feb 2, 20211 min read

Tech underclass: the harsh reality of Asia's digital commerce boom

A harrowing tale of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on platform workers in Asia.

Nov 19, 20201 min read

UNCTAD survey shows COVID-19’s impact on e-commerce in poorer countries

The data collected from 250 companies in 23 countries in Africa and Asia showed that many e-commerce businesses saw a slump in sales.

Oct 22, 20202 min read

Post-COVID prognosis for gig workers in China: slow and steady improvement

A survey of food delivery drivers in China found that six months since the peak of the pandemic, many still earn less than before.

Sep 29, 20201 min read

The Digital Hustle: Gig worker financial lives under pressure

Flourish has been tracking the experiences of gig workers across the globe since May 2020.

Sep 24, 20202 min read

The Gig Economy and Covid-19: Looking Ahead

Fairwork’s latest report on COVID-19 and the gig economy provides more analysis of platforms’ efforts to protect gig workers.

Jul 20, 20201 min read

KENYA: Six ways digital platforms can accelerate growth during COVID-19

Mercy Corps makes recommendations to digital platforms on how they can adapt to the new business realities brought on by COVID-19.

Jul 19, 20201 min read

KENYA: COVID-19 has left gig workers vulnerable. Who is responsible for providing social protection?

Mercy Corps highlights the negative impact of COVID-19 on the gig economy in Kenya and stresses the need for social protection.

Jul 7, 20201 min read

COVID-19 and India’s Gig Economy: The Case of Ride-Hailing Companies

This special report analyses the impact of COVID19 on the ride-hailing sector in India, using Ola and Uber as case studies.

Jun 23, 20201 min read

INDIA: Gig workers can’t make a living unless they install a controversial contact tracing App

Gig workers in India have to install a controversial government-backed contact tracing app if they want to keep making a living.

Jun 9, 20201 min read

Uber UK launches Work Hub for drivers to find other gig jobs during COVID-19

Uber U.K. has launched a Work Hub for drivers through which they can take up temporary work opportunities with other companies.

Jun 1, 20201 min read

Gig workers, platforms and government during Covid-19 in South Africa

By Fairwork Fairwork’s latest analysis of the COVID-19 responses by the government and platforms in South Africa finds that neither has...

May 25, 20202 min read

Platform economy assessed for first time in Germany: COVID-19 pandemic brings into sharp relief risk

The Fairwork Project launches its first set of annual ratings for digital platforms in Germany.

May 12, 20201 min read

UK gig workers' union wants the government to extend health and safety benefits to members

The Union says the government has failed in its obligation to transpose health and safety directives from EU law into UK law.

May 12, 20201 min read

Tech union leaders are dodging surveillance on platforms like Facebook and Zoom

Tech union leaders' attempts to organise and demand better working conditions are made harder by surveillance by platforms they work for.

May 12, 20201 min read

Uber CEO says drivers should get health-care benefits based on how much they work

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi proposes that drivers be paid health benefits according to the number of hours they put in, reports CNBC.

May 3, 20201 min read

A deep dive into labor, digital economy, and COVID-19

Read a series of engaging publications analyzing labor in the digital economy on the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis.

Apr 29, 20201 min read

From health and harassment to income security and loans, India's gig workers need support

Gig worker unions in India say government and platform companies should be doing more to protect the workers from effects of COVID-19.

Apr 29, 20201 min read

Grab offers no-pay leaves, reduced working hours to staff

Grab is reconsidering financial assistance to drivers in Singapore if lockdown restrictions go beyond June 1

Apr 28, 20201 min read

As Amazon, Walmart, and others profit amid coronavirus crisis, their essential workers plan strike

Workers from Amazon, Instacart, Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, and FedEx plan to walk out on work on May 1.

Apr 27, 20202 min read

The Gig Economy and Covid-19: Fairwork Report on Platform Policies

COVID-19 responses by digital platforms are not sufficient and are mainly aimed at protecting business and customers, not workers.