Is there a Moral Problem with the Gig Economy?
Recent advances in communication economy have created new ways for consumers to access service labour. Those who own the platforms associated with these services typically do not employ their workers, but treat them as freelance or ‘gig’ workers. This has led to a popular complaint that gig work is exploitative or otherwise unjust, and that the platforms need to regulated so that their workers qualify as employees. Many people now boycott the platforms using gig work, or feel uncomfortable about using it. But it is not obvious what the connection is between gig work and injustice or exploitation per se. After all, gig work has always been around in many other forms, and much of it compares favourably with employment in firms. This is not to dismiss the concern that many have with particular kinds of gig work, only to observe that the problem is complicated and calls for more detailed moral theorizing. At bottom, what’s needed is a proper theory of what the difference between employment and freelance/gig work is supposed to be, and what moral purpose it serves. This talk will aim to make some progress in this direction.
Date:
28 February 2019, 17:30 (Thursday, 7th week, Hilary 2019)
Venue:
St Cross College, St Giles OX1 3LZ
Venue Details:
Lecture Theatre
Speaker:
Dr Daniel Halliday (University of Melbourne)
Organising department:
Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics
Organiser:
Dr Stephen Clarke (University of Oxford)
Part of:
New St Cross Special Ethics Seminar Series
Booking required?:
Required
Booking url:
https://bookwhen.com/uehiro
Cost:
Free
Audience:
Public
Editor:
Rachel Gaminiratne
