The Economist (September 20th to 26th)
China’s workforce “has undergone an extraordinary transformation,” diversifying from its base in farming and factories. The world’s largest workforce now includes some 200 million “precarious” gig workers, who provide “a warning for the world.” With technology remaking labor markets, 40% of the labor force in urban areas is now dependent “on some kind of flexible work,” yet many of these gig workers “struggle to buy property and gain access to public services and benefits.” This transformation “will shape China’s economy and society for years to come.”
Tags: 200 million, Benefits, China, Economy, Factories, Farming, Flexible work, Gig workers, Labor markets, Precarious, Property, Public services, Technology, Transformation, Urban, Warning, Workforce
Wall Street Journal (June 24)
“Food-delivery apps responded to cities’ new wage increase requirements for gig workers by ratcheting up fees. Now, they are contending with frustrated consumers, plunging restaurant orders and an exodus of delivery drivers.” In response, Seattle plans to roll back the tighter regulation based on “outcry from drivers and restaurants over its devastating” effect.
Tags: Apps, Cities, Consumers, Drivers, Exodus, Fees, Food-delivery, Frustrated, Gig workers, Orders, Outcry, Regulation, Restaurants, Seattle, Wages
