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A typology of labour agency in the gig economy: gig drivers' experiences of struggle in Indonesia during the COVID‐19 pandemic

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  • Permana, Muhammad Yorga

Abstract

This article explores how ride‐hailing drivers, couriers, and food‐delivery riders in Indonesia exercised labour agency to improve their working conditions during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Drawing on a survey (N = 997) and in‐depth interviews (N = 30) with gig drivers in Jakarta, it contributes to labour geography and employment relations literature by reconceptualizing labour agency in the gig economy. Four modes of agency are proposed: (1) Individual resilience, (2) Individual reworking and resistance, (3) Collective resilience, and (4) Collective reworking and resistance. This article further presents main obstacles that explain why not all workers may exercise these practices: Fear of potential platform counteraction and moral dilemma hindered workers from resisting the platform. Identity struggles concerning the ‘driver‐partner’ status and the competitive nature of the platform work prevented workers' involvement in collective agency. Meanwhile, free rider problem, fragmented and leaderless movement, and collective frustration posed challenges for workers in translating collective feeling into active solidarity.

Suggested Citation

  • Permana, Muhammad Yorga, 2025. "A typology of labour agency in the gig economy: gig drivers' experiences of struggle in Indonesia during the COVID‐19 pandemic," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 130109, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:130109
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    File URL: https://researchonline.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/130109/
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    JEL classification:

    • R14 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Land Use Patterns
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General

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