Impact of platformization on women workers

🚨 New Research Alert! 🚨 📌 How gendered are digital platforms in Africa? Our latest study spans five African countries, analysing the experiences of men and women in the gig economy Key Findings: ✅ Platform operational structures appear gender-neutral, but deeper inequalities persist ❌ Women earn less than men overall—not because of lower hourly rates, but fewer working hours due to care responsibilities ⚖️ Women often have higher education levels than men but still face economic precarity and dependency 🚗 Sectoral segregation is real—ride-hailing & delivery are male-dominated, while professional & microtask work see more women ⚠️ Customer discrimination—some women report cancellations, complaints & abuse just for being female workers What needs to change? 📢 Platforms & policymakers must act to ensure fairer working conditions, equal pay, and better protections for women in the gig economy. Our paper outlines concrete recommendations for tackling these disparities 📖 Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/ejM66xra #GigEconomy #PlatformWork #GenderEquality #Africa #FutureOfWork #DigitalEconomy

🤖 The Gendered Impact of AI: Why Women—Especially from Marginalised Backgrounds—Are Most at Risk As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the world of work, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the effects will not be felt equally. A new report from the United Nations’s International Labour Organization and Poland’s NASK reveals that roles traditionally held by women—particularly in high-income countries—are almost three times more likely to be disrupted by generative AI than those held by men. 📉 9.6% of female-held jobs are at high risk of transformation, compared to just 3.5% of male-held roles. Why? Many of these jobs are in administration and clerical work—sectors where AI can automate routine tasks efficiently. But while AI may not eliminate these roles outright, it is radically reshaping them, threatening job security and career progression for many women. This risk is not theoretical. Back in 2023, researchers at OpenAI—the company behind ChatGPT—examined the potential exposure of different occupations to large language models like GPT-4. The results were striking: around 80% of the US workforce could have at least 10% of their work tasks impacted by generative AI. While they were careful not to label this a prediction, the message was clear: AI's reach is widespread and accelerating. 🌍 An intersectional lens shows even deeper inequities. Women from marginalised communities—especially women of colour, older women, and those with lower levels of formal education—face heightened vulnerability: They are overrepresented in lower-paid, more automatable roles, with limited access to training or advancement. They often lack the tools, networks, and opportunities to adapt to digital shifts. And they face greater risks of bias within the AI systems themselves, which can reinforce inequality in recruitment and promotion. Meanwhile, roles being augmented by AI—like those in tech, media, and finance—are still largely male-dominated, widening the gender and racial divide in the AI economy. According to the World Economic Forum, 33.7% of women are in jobs being disrupted by AI, compared to just 25.5% of men. 📢 As AI moves from buzzword to business reality, we need more than technical solutions—we need intentional, inclusive strategies. That means designing AI systems that reflect the full diversity of society, investing in upskilling programmes that reach everyone, and ensuring the benefits of AI are distributed fairly. The question on my mind is - if AI is shaping the future of work, who’s shaping AI? #AI #FutureOfWork #EquityInTech #GenderEquality #Intersectionality #Inclusion #ResponsibleTech

# Urban Company's Rebrand: A Step Forward or Just a Cosmetic Change? Just joined Sanket Upadhyay for his insightful analysis on Urban Company's rebranding from "Insta Maids" to "Insta Help" on #TheRedMike. On the positive side, I pointed out that this service • Fills a genuine need for urban migrants seeking household help • Provides a safety net for domestic workers between jobs • Takes steps toward formalizing a traditionally unorganized sector However, there are several critical concerns that deserve attention: • #Wage questions: our research at Jagori Grameen & Nikore Associates shows Delhi NCR domestic workers average just ₹46/hour (₹7,500 monthly). While UC advertises ₹150-180/hour (₹20,000-25,000 monthly)- I wonder how much of this will go the domestic workers? What’s the city-by-city variation? How much does UC take as commission? What hidden costs exist? • #Safety challenges: With beauty service workers already reporting exploitation, how will UC guarantee safety for workers entering strangers' homes daily, often in distant locations? • #Work-life balance: The platform needs serious review of flexibility provisions for women gig workers who need time for care responsibilities and rest days. Words matter, as UC acknowledges. But do actions follow? Let's see if this rebrand brings meaningful change or merely puts new packaging on old problems. #GigEconomy #DomesticWorkers #UrbanCompany #LaborRights #WomenAtWork #CareEconomy #GigWorkers #UrbanCompany #InstaHelp #InstaMaid

Urban Company & the Gig Economy: A Culture of Convenience or Burnout? On a recent evening in NOIDA, I saw a woman struggling with a heavy briefcase marked “Urban Company.” She looked utterly exhausted. This fleeting moment captured a deeper issue: the human cost behind the convenience of app-based home services. The Promise of Flexibility vs The Reality of Pressure Urban Company has revolutionized home services in India, offering everything from beauty treatments to appliance repairs. The platform markets itself as a flexible opportunity for gig workers especially women to earn on their own terms. However, many service providers report a different experience. A viral post by a masseuse who arrived in tears after working back-to-back appointments without food or rest. The masseuse revealed she couldn't decline appointments even when unwell. Service providers have minimal paid leave & can't take extended breaks for personal or medical reasons. Declining jobs or taking leave can lead to reduced work opportunities as the platform doesn't technically employ them, denying them standard employee benefits. Performance Metrics & Punitive Measures Urban Company's system enforces strict performance standards. Workers must maintain high acceptance rates & customer ratings. Failure to meet these metrics can result in account suspension. A beautician named Nazia was blocked after her rating dipped slightly below the required threshold. Another worker, Seema, suffered a miscarriage & couldn't update her availability in time. Her acceptance rate dropped, leading to permanent suspension. Corporate Initiatives & Ground Realities Urban Company has highlighted its investments in partner training & upskilling, claiming that top service partners earn significantly above the minimum wage. They've also introduced stock options & insurance benefits. However, these benefits often favor top-performing workers, leaving others without support. The pressure to maintain high ratings can lead to burnout, especially when workers lack the autonomy to manage their schedules. The Broader Implications The gig economy's allure lies in its promise of flexibility & independence. Yet, for many Urban Company service providers, this promise remains unfulfilled. The platform's stringent performance metrics & lack of traditional employee protections contribute to a culture of overwork & burnout. As consumers, it's essential to recognize the human effort behind the services we enjoy. Advocating for fair labor practices & supporting platforms that prioritize worker well-being can lead to more sustainable & ethical service models. #DeshKiZarooratonKeLiye #GigEconomy #BurnoutCulture #FairWork #PlatformEconomy #WomenAtWork #DigitalLabour #EthicalTech Note: This post aims to shed light on the working conditions of Urban Company service providers, drawing upon various reports & firsthand accounts. Names have been changed to protect the identities of service providers.

✍🏽 “House of gigs: Domestic workers, algorithmic management and the Platform Work Directive”; the draft of our latest co-authored chapter is out: https://lnkd.in/d8zQGjYd Domestic work often slips under the radar in discussions about the #gigeconomy, yet it is crucial for understanding how #algorithmicmanagement impacts workers. Our analysis reveals that the key influence of digital platforms on domestic workers is the increased precariousness of working time, leading to unpredictable schedules and intensified workloads. Nastazja and I argue that while the EU #PlatformWorkDirective is a step forward, it may fall short in addressing the complexities and unique challenges faced by domestic workers, particularly around fragmented and irregular work patterns. The quality of working conditions in this sector should be a pressing concern for policymakers, particularly in the context of the growing importance of the silver economy and a widespread “social-care crisis” affecting many countries. When platforms first entered the labour market roughly a decade ago, their shiny technological infrastructure was hoped to shed light on informal corners of the economy. There was an expectation that the availability of presumably reliable, digital channels of work mediation could render labour intermediation fairer. This decade-old promise has not been fulfilled. Feedback and insights welcome.