Ep 2: Who Run the World (of platforms)? Algorithmic Bosses and Workers’ Rights

The second episode delves into the power that algorithms and data hold, in running this platform model of work. Experts explain how algorithmic management and control by platform apps has major implications for working conditions and worker autonomy, and how workers’ groups, through new-age organising, are negotiating workers’ rights in this algorithmmified world of work.

This podcast series is brought to you by IT for Change, and supported by Friederich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and Fair Green Global (FGG).

Host – Sonakshi Agarwal (IT for Change)

Expert Speakers:

• Shaikh Salauddin (Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers)
• Basudev Barman (International Transport Workers’ Federation)
• Spandan Pratyush (All India Gig Workers Union)
• Gayatri Singh (Senior Advocate)
• Salonie Hiriyadur (SEWA Cooperative Federation)
• Uma Rani (International Labour Organisation)

References and Additional Reading:

1. Workers’ Data Rights in the Platformised Workspace (IT for Change) - https://itforchange.net/node/2031

2. The Macro Frames of Microwork: A Study of Indian women workers on AMT in the post-pandemic moment (IT for Change) - https://itforchange.net/sites/default/files/1739/The-Macro-Frames-of-Microwork-Full-Report-ITfC-2021.pdf

3. WeClock – The app for workers (The Why Not Lab) - https://www.thewhynotlab.com/post/weclock

4. 10 Principles for Workers’ Data Rights and Privacy (UNI Global Union) - https://uniglobalunion.org/report/principles-for-workers-data-rights/

5. R198 - Employment Relationship Recommendation, 2006 (International Labour Organisation) - https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_INSTRUMENT_ID:312535

6. ‘We’re being pushed into poverty’: Voices of women who took on the unicorn start-up Urban Company (Scroll) - https://scroll.in/magazine/1014700/were-being-pushed-into-poverty-voices-of-women-who-took-on-the-unicorn-start-up-urban-company