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Income security in the on-demand economy : findings and policy lessons from a survey of crowdworkers

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  • Berg, Janine.

Abstract

This article assesses the validity of many of the assumptions made about work in the on-demand economy and analyses whether proposals advanced for improving workers' income security are sufficient for remedying current shortcomings. It draws on findings from a survey of crowdworkers conducted in late 2015 on the Amazon Mechanical Turk and Crowdflower platforms on workers' employment patterns, work histories, and financial security. Based on this information, it provides an analysis of crowdworkers' economic dependence on the platform, including the share of workers who depend on crowdwork as their main source of income, as well as their working conditions, the problems they encounter while crowdworking and their overall income security. Drawing on these findings, the article recommends an alternative way of organizing work that can improve the income security of crowdworkers as well as the overall efficiency and productivity of crowdwork.

Suggested Citation

  • Berg, Janine., 2016. "Income security in the on-demand economy : findings and policy lessons from a survey of crowdworkers," ILO Working Papers 994906483402676, International Labour Organization.
    • Handle: RePEc:ilo:ilowps:994906483402676
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    File URL: http://www.ilo.org/public/libdoc/ilo/2016/490648.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:ilo:ilowps:375000 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Simon Deakin, 2005. "The comparative evolution of the employment relationship," Working Papers wp317, Centre for Business Research, University of Cambridge.
    3. Aleksynska, Mariya. & Berg, Janine., 2016. "Firms' demand for temporary labour in developing countries : necessity or strategy?," ILO Working Papers 994908893402676, International Labour Organization.
    4. De Stefano, Valerio., 2016. "The rise of the "just-in-time workforce" : on-demand work, crowdwork and labour protection in the "gig-economy"," ILO Working Papers 994899823402676, International Labour Organization.
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