Digital labour platforms are increasingly challenging conventional employment relations and shaping the future of work in the UK. On the one hand, gig work promotes economic growth and the creation of new jobs, lowers labour market entry barriers for some workers, and provides job flexibility to those who need it. On the other hand, companies might slip through existing regulatory frameworks and workers experience unfair working conditions on the platforms.

This year’s report ‘Fairwork UK Ratings 2023: A Call for Transparency’ evaluates working conditions at 12 of the most popular digital labour platforms in the country, including: Amazon Flex, Bolt, Deliveroo, Getir, Gorillas, Just Eat, Ola, Pedal Me, Stuart, Task Rabbit, Uber, and Yoopies. Our findings reveal that there are significant shifts underway in the platform economy in the wake of a tech financing collapse, a cost-of-living crisis, and the alleviation of COVID-19 restrictions for a whole year. Whilst the pandemic may have been halcyon days for platform companies, reality is starting to bite. We’ll be asking whether workers are left paying the price.

PROGRAMME:

This event is from 14:00 to 17:00 PM BST

14.00 - Welcome

14.15 - Presentation of report findings

14.45 - Panel discussion

16.00 - Live audience Q&A

16.30 - Networking

*Drinks and light refreshments will be provided.

PRESENTERS:

Dr. Adam Badger, Lead Researcher, Fairwork UK, Oxford Internet Institute

Dr. Funda Ustek-Spilda, Senior Researcher and Project Manager, Fairwork UK, Oxford Internet Institute

EXPERT PANELLISTS:

Dr Sarrah Kassem – Lecturer, Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences, University of Tübingen

Emma Selinger – Ventures Manager, Resolution Foundation

Michael ‘Six’ Silberman – Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford

Ferdousara Uddin – Regional Organiser, GMB Union

FAIRWORK UK TEAM:

Dr. Mark Graham, Director

Dr. Adam Badger, Lead Researcher

Dr. Funda Ustek-Spilda, Senior Researcher

Dr. Anjali Krishan, Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Kavita Dattani, Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Matthew Cole, Postdoctoral Researcher

Navneet Gidda, Communications Lead

Georgina Lubke, Research Assistant

Sam Street, Research Assistant