New Opportunities in the Platform Economy: On-ramps to Formalization in the Global South

Gregory Randolph and Hernan Galperin –research partners of the Future of Work in the Global South initiative– presented at T-20 Japan 2019 a policy brief featuring the opportunities for formalization brought by the platform economy.

According to the authors, as the platform economy expands at exponential rates, policymakers in the Global South have a unique opportunity to translate the aggregation of workers through digital platforms into a more formalized labor market – with both opportunities for revenue collection and higher quality employment.

Realizing this opportunity requires a collaborative ‘co-regulation’ approach, with information-sharing between governments and firms; updated systems of labor market data collection; development of context-appropriate categories of employment; and proactive approaches to taxation and social protection provision.

Download the policy brief here: https://t20japan.org/policy-brief-new-opportunities-in-the-platform-economy

How to Promote Worker Wellbeing in the Platform Economy in the Global South

Members and partners of the Future of Work in the Global South initiative Urvashi Aneja, Krish Chetty, Ramiro Albrieu, and Martin Rapetti presented a policy brief at T-20 Japan 2019.

In this document, the authors highlight how the growth of the platform economy is creating new opportunities and efficiencies in G20 economies. However ––they add– gig-work can often be precarious, with reduced access to formal social protection mechanisms.

This poses unique opportunities and challenges for many G20 countries, where a large section of the workforce is engaged in informal work across both the unorganised and organised sectors of the economy. For the sustained and inclusive growth of the platform economy, the wellbeing of workers must be prioritized. Drawing on research undertaken in India, South Africa and Argentina, the policy brief outlines strategies for governments, industries and civil society to safeguard and enhance worker well being in the platform economy.

You can access the policy brief here: https://t20japan.org/policy-brief-promote-worker-wellbeing-platform-economy/

Event Summary: Digitization and the Future of Work workshop.

The purpose of this event was to convene key stakeholders and thought leaders from across academia, government, industry and multilateral organizations to examine the social, economic, and ethical implications…