Delivery workers, trapped in an algorithmic system

Fuente: Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT)
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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Uma Rani, Rishabh Kumar Dhir, Nora Gobel
Format: Artículo científico
Published: International Labour Organization 2022
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author Uma Rani
Rishabh Kumar Dhir
Nora Gobel
author_facet Uma Rani
Rishabh Kumar Dhir
Nora Gobel
Uma Rani
Rishabh Kumar Dhir
Nora Gobel
contents Delivery workers, trapped in an algorithmic system Uma Rani Rishabh Kumar Dhir Nora Gobel This article analyses the processes through which delivery workers are controlled by the algorithmic management practices on delivery platforms. The article builds on the existing literature on algorithmic management and control, by identifying the different types of control mechanisms used by platforms to discipline delivery workers in developing countries. It draws on surveys conducted by the International Labour Organization with about 3000 platform delivery workers in eleven developing countries (Argentina, Chile, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, and Ukraine) to understand how algorithmic management practices exert control and undermine workers’ freedoms at work. It discusses the implications of such a control mechanism on their working conditions, as well as their freedom and autonomy to undertake and perform work. The article concludes with a discussion on what policies have helped to address some of the issues related to working conditions and what policy measures need to be taken to ensure decent working conditions for workers on digital labour platforms. publication.journalArticle
format Artículo científico
id ilo_995268285402676
institution Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT)
publishDate 2022
publisher International Labour Organization
spellingShingle Delivery workers, trapped in an algorithmic system
Uma Rani
Rishabh Kumar Dhir
Nora Gobel
Delivery workers, trapped in an algorithmic system Uma Rani Rishabh Kumar Dhir Nora Gobel This article analyses the processes through which delivery workers are controlled by the algorithmic management practices on delivery platforms. The article builds on the existing literature on algorithmic management and control, by identifying the different types of control mechanisms used by platforms to discipline delivery workers in developing countries. It draws on surveys conducted by the International Labour Organization with about 3000 platform delivery workers in eleven developing countries (Argentina, Chile, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, and Ukraine) to understand how algorithmic management practices exert control and undermine workers’ freedoms at work. It discusses the implications of such a control mechanism on their working conditions, as well as their freedom and autonomy to undertake and perform work. The article concludes with a discussion on what policies have helped to address some of the issues related to working conditions and what policy measures need to be taken to ensure decent working conditions for workers on digital labour platforms. publication.journalArticle
title Delivery workers, trapped in an algorithmic system
url https://researchrepository.ilo.org/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Delivery-workers-trapped-in-an-algorithmic/995268285402676