Future-proof work? The experiences of gig economy workers in the Philippines

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive disruptions in the job market. It also put the gig economy in the spotlight since many workers began seeing it as a viable career option to their 9-to-5 jobs. Even before the pandemic, the gig economy was forming a significant portion of the workforce in different countries. In light of these changes, this paper has sought to understand the journey and experiences of both location-dependent and purely online gig economy workers in the Philippines. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) to explore the experience of those working in the gig economy in the Philippines, with two out of the four groups working as location-dependent gig workers while the remaining two groups working as purely-online gig workers. The study revealed that while gig workers appreciated the flexibility of managing their own time, they also expressed the need for greater government support and regulation to ensure that their welfare is protected. Moreover, while gig work has created additional opportunities for many, certain drawbacks have also emerged over time. It is essential for the government to intervene to safeguard the well-being of these workers, and ensure that labour laws and regulations are adapted to these new circumstances.