The gig economy is a hot topic right now. You may find on-demand work, earn some additional cash, and have total control over your freelance career. Freelancing and gig economy websites are helpful for finding your next project, whether you freelance part-time to supplement your income or as your primary source of income. To choose the best on-demand staffing platform for you, look at these examples.
What is Gig Economy?
You have likely engaged in this sector of the economy if you have ever used an app to order food, book a vacation rental, hire a freelance taxi driver, or purchase a handmade item.
The UK government defines the gig economy as “the short-term and task-based exchange of labor for money between individuals or businesses using digital platforms that actively facilitate matching between providers and clients.”
It’s in the news not just because it’s expanding, boosting employment and productivity, but also because it raises concerns about the effectiveness of labor market rules and protections for consumers and workers.
Despite the fact that gig economy workers frequently forgo the perks provided to regular employees, a UK court determined in February that drivers for a car ride-hailing app are entitled to benefits like paid holidays, a minimum wage, and a pension.
Other nations have similar issues, and Spain is about to ratify a new law that classifies gig-economy riders as wage workers. According to a Financial Times report, the US labor secretary’s remark that some workers should be categorized as employees reduced the value of some of the country’s biggest gig economy companies by billions of dollars.
The World Economic Forum’s Jobs Reset Summit, which will focus on mobilizing a jobs recovery plan, will be held on June 1-2, 2021, and will discuss the future of employment beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the OECD, the gig economy platforms currently employ between 1% and 3% of the overall workforce, and their percentage is rapidly increasing.
Research from Mastercard predicts that global gig-economy transactions would increase by 17% per year to about $455 billion by 2023.
The problem for policy-makers and authorities is to strike a balance between the need to ensure that the corporations are providing workers with a fair deal and the growth of the market and the size of the companies at the top of the food chain. Gig economy businesses complicate efforts to regulate the product market, competition, tax, and labor markets.
According to a UK government survey, people who work in the gig economy are primarily delighted with their independence and flexibility. One in four respondents said they were very or very dissatisfied with these parts of their jobs, indicating that respondents were less content with work-related benefits and income levels.
These businesses can provide flexible working schedules for students looking to supplement their income while in school or primary caregivers trying to juggle work with child care or school hours.
In the gig economy, who works?
The OECD paper states that having work freedom and earning extra money are the two main reasons people choose to work for platforms that support the gig economy.
According to that paper, “Overall, most gig workers are happy with their jobs, and working for gig economy platforms appears to primarily represent personal choices rather than the absence of other opportunities.” However, a sizable portion of platform workers — about 20% — rely on them because they are unable to secure employment as dependent workers.
Independent workers were divided into four categories in McKinsey research.
- Independent contractors make their primary living from their choice of independent labor.
- Casual wage employees who choose to supplement their income with independent work.
- Hesitant people rely on their own initiative for their livelihood yet would rather have traditional employment.
- Who, out of need due to their financial situation, perform an additional independent job.
6 Gig Economy Marketplaces for Freelancers
Fiverr
The best location to sell specific tasks at various prices is on Fiverr. It’s positioning as the hub for lean businesses indicates how fiercely competitive its industry is. On Fiverr, you begin your offers with “I will…” and then list the services you are offering, along with a starting price. You can find a ton of different jobs that promise to do different things for customers.
Upwork
One of the bigger and less niche gig economy platforms is Upwork. Upwork, which was once known as Elance-oDesk, allows you to advertise your expert services across various industries. You can browse through jobs from all over the world, whether you’re an engineer, independent writer, artist, or web developer. You make a bid on a job when it is posted and you like it. You can take a variety of examinations to receive certifications and skill ratings.
Thumbtack
Thumbtack is available to anyone looking for nearby experts. You can publish in a variety of categories if you wish to promote your professional services in your neighborhood. These include repairs and technical support, business, events, legal, and home improvement projects. You pay a fee each time you receive a lead and decide to work with the customer. There is an app for Android and iPhone.
Uber
Ridesharing and taxi services are both offered by Uber, which is well-known for both. They have also extended into other industries, such as food delivery. If you own a car, you may utilize it to either transport people to their desired locations or deliver goods to them. You can even transport meals on a bicycle, motorbike, or scooter using Uber Eats.
Freelancer
Another comprehensive platform for all kinds of freelancers is called Freelancer. You can post job applications and advertise your services on their website or mobile app. On the website, there are many categories for writing, marketing, design, administration tasks, and coding languages like Python and CSS. You’ll undoubtedly come across several assignments that are appropriate for you.
TaskRabbit
Due to TaskRabbit’s emphasis on household tasks, it is ideal for both skilled tradespeople and anyone looking to supplement their income with their practical abilities. You can find jobs like putting together flat-pack furniture, gardening, or handyman and general maintenance jobs around the house. You can easily see the typical cost for various projects to get an idea of potential earnings.