Emerging Voice Mechanisms in Asian Gig Economies: Implications for Gig Workers’ Work and Life

With the gig economy increasingly becoming an important source of income for workers in Asia, this chapter explores the different mechanisms used by Asian gig workers such as those in China, India, and Pakistan, to have a say about their work. It discusses three main types of mechanisms, including mechanisms provided by the platforms (employers), gig worker unions, and social media (SM). The chapter focuses on Asian gig workers who operate in a primarily unregulated (gig) labour market with a strong focus on economic output, which may affect how and where workers voice. We discuss how gig workers do not have the same voice mechanisms as traditional employees and are finding various other platforms to connect and raise their voices.