COVID-19 News 3/4

Apr 3, 20201 min read

Delivery apps have transformed urban life in China

The Economist writes about how services of delivery workers in China have become a lifeline for many urbanites during the COVID-19 crisis.

Apr 2, 20201 min read

UK: How will the outbreak of COVID-19 impact workers in the gig economy?

The Lawyer Monthly critically analyses the new support measures by the government for gig workers and their legal implications.

Apr 2, 20201 min read

Pandemic’s effects on online freelance work: distancing dividend or downscaling loss?

Freelance online workers such as software developers, graphic designers, and data labelers have less work because of the COVIDー19 pandemic.

Apr 1, 20201 min read

France: COVID-19, inequality, and gig economy workers

This article shares findings of a survey of precarious workers in France, including gig economy workers.

Apr 1, 20201 min read

In the face of lockdown, China’s e-commerce giants deliver

E-commerce companies in China ramped up several services and found innovative ways to continue doing business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mar 31, 20201 min read

US gig economy workers strike over COVID-19 protection and pay

In the U.S Instacart workers accused the company of failing to ensure their safety, requiring them to buy their own hand sanitiser and disin

Mar 31, 20201 min read

Careem CEO launches appeal for 500,000 gig workers across Middle East amid crisis

CEO of Careem a Dubai based ride-hailing company appeals to governments, employers and lenders to rescue the driver impacted by COVID-19.

Mar 30, 20201 min read

Kenya: Boon for delivery apps as city eateries shut on virus fears

In Kenya delivery apps like Glovo, Jumia Food and Uber Eats saw an increase in orders as several restaurants closed.

Mar 29, 20201 min read

From Social Distancing to Social Solidarity: Gig economy and the COVID-19

While many platform companies introduced basic measures to protect workers, few are offering the much needed sick pay or financial support.

Mar 29, 20201 min read

Coronavirus relief: $2 trillion package gives benefits to gig workers

Gig workers and independent contractors will benefit from the $2 trillion economic relief package announced by the US government.

Mar 29, 20201 min read

How COVID-19 is impacting platform-mediated labor and social reproduction

By Platform Labour In this three-part blog post, the authors provide an overview of the ways in which COVID-19 is impacting the...

Mar 29, 20201 min read

Ola launches fund for the driver community; Bhavish Aggarwal to forgo 1-year's salary

Ola cabs launched a fund through which drivers and their families would receive essential supplies and free medical and emergency support.

Mar 27, 20201 min read

Uber Kenya Suspends Night Pickups From Today Until Further Notice

Uber Kenya suspended night pickups due to a national curfew imposed by the government.

Mar 25, 20201 min read

India: Urban Company launches Covid-19 relief fund for gig workers

Urban Company an on-demand services in India partnered with a charitable trust to create a COVID-19 fund for gig workers

Mar 25, 20201 min read

Uber and Airbnb lobby for gig worker bailout

By Bloomberg Uber and Airbnb lobbied the U.S government for a bailout for drivers and hosts who still have to pay for the cars and houses...

Mar 24, 20201 min read

African e-hailing companies suspend operations as COVID-19 begins rapid spread

Tunisian bike-hailing startup, InTiGo, and Nigerian bus-hailing-service Plentywaka suspended operations due to COVID-19.

Mar 22, 20201 min read

Gig jobs are suddenly looking more secure amid coronavirus

The COVID-19 crisis is creating more gig work opportunities and forcing companies to address the well-being of workers, reports Quartz.

Mar 19, 20201 min read

Uber and Lyft drivers protest to demand more benefits during coronavirus crisis

Rideshare drivers in San Francisco demanded that Uber provide them with more benefits as they continued to work through the coronavirus pand

Mar 19, 20201 min read

These Delivery Drivers Are Risking Their Health to Keep China Running During the Pandemic

Time Magazine reports about how life has changed for about 3 million motorcycle delivery drivers in China.

Mar 19, 20201 min read

Coronavirus Is Speeding Up the Amazonification of the Planet

The coronavirus is accelerating the supremacy of Amazon and similar companies over the retail market, a trend that may remain.