With the crisis of the job and thanks to the opportunities offered by sites and applications are born of the new job figures, these are jobs on demand
In a world tested by the economic crisis, the employment sector and employment contracts have made the costs. In such a context, the gig economy has developed. This is a particular system that manages to do without the classic open-ended contracts or continuous services.
In the gig economy you work on demand. That is, only when there is a need for our skills and abilities. Some couriers or Uber drivers are clear examples of professional figures within the gig economy. If we want to make it even simpler, it’s the triumph of the “little jobs”. Until recently such a work situation would not have been considered a good economic option, but given the job crisis at the moment many people are taking advantage of the employment opportunities, albeit very occasional, offered by sites, applications and web platforms.
Worker protection
The real problem of the gig economy is the protection of workers. Since there are no real contracts, it is difficult for people to receive the status of employees with the consequent benefits, pension and health, of the case. If the gig economy were to grow further, and market analysts are very keen on this possibility, it will be crucial for people to demand and obtain new regulations from national governments. New laws that allow greater protection to those who work on demand. In Italy has been made the first step by recognizing and facilitating telework, but it will be necessary to take many steps forward.
Etymology of gig economy
Gig economy is a fairly recent term, which as already explained, was born thanks to the creation of applications and sites that offer small jobs on demand. Precisely for this reason it is sometimes also called platform economy. It was born within the same context of the collaborative and sharing economy. That is, those possibilities of gain created by the potential of the Net. Let’s think, for example, of those who get extras thanks to renting a house on Airbnb.
The future of the gig economy
According to many market analysts, the future of the gig economy will depend on the ability of politicians to adapt laws to these new forms of work. In such a way as to protect both employees and companies. British politician Matthew Taylor has proposed a solution to this problem. It is the creation of a specific category of workers, a kind of freelancer who is positioned between companies and workers with fixed contracts. Despite this rather uncertain work position, the new category will have to fall within the benefits that people with regular contracts have. Such as sickness, paid extras, and in some cases paid holidays.