Does Uber signal the end of social security?

Hans-Horst Konkolewsky

Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Secretary General of the International Social Security Association (ISSA)

Few would deny the revolution that the digital economy has brought to our lives. People and companies are using the power of the internet, and the networks and leverage that it brings, to transform the way they shop, sell, socialize, seek medical advice – and work. The benefits of the new economy are multiple, but the impact on social security as we know it is significant, and will require innovative responses.

Continue reading

How are workers faring in the gig economy?

Janine Berg, Senior Economist

Janine Berg, Senior Economist at the ILO and Valerio De Stefano, ILO Technical Officer on Non-Standard Forms of Employment

Most workers in the on-demand economy are considered by the platforms that they work for as being freelance workers. What are the consequences for workers of being classified that way?

To find out, we carried out two studies—one economic and one legal—on the on-demand economy to tackle some of these issues as well as learn more about the implications of the growth of new forms of casual labour.

Continue reading