A reserve army of gig workers, both in the Global North and South, work as online contractors for the benefit of large companies mainly based in the Global North. Given its transnational nature, what kind of self-organization, or regulation, do this new labour relationship require? Could opportunities for online work gig work stem illegal south-north migration?
The global division of labour in the industrial age is well known: The Global South provides raw materials and cheap labour in its sweatshops for multi-national companies from the Global North to supply global markets.
The digital economy functions similarly: The Global South provides coltan and other raw materials as well as cheap online labour.
A reserve army of gig workers, both in the Global North and South, work as online contractors for the benefit of large companies mainly based in the Global North. Given its transnational nature, what kind of self-organization, or regulation, do this new labour relationship require? Should it, yet again, privilege workers from the Global North over those from the Global South? Could opportunities for online work stem illegal south-north migration?
Traditionally, unions organize the workforce in a specific sector and country. While unions have not been very successful to organize the workforce of large digital companies, what could the role of other civil society actors be? Are ethical guidelines sufficient to protect gig workers or is there need for enforceable laws that stretch across borders and continents?
Event Details:
Date: 6 April 2023
Time: 5pm (CAT)
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Also read: Impact Of Digital Technologies On The Civic Space and Sèmè Podji, putting an end to confusion over land ownership
The Digital Dialogues are brought to you by the International Civil Society Centre and the Civic Tech Innovation Network
