Through the Internet of Things (Industry 4.0), the digitisation process is leading to the uberisation of work. The commoditisation of the service industry, with new participants using computing platforms, is reaching various sectors and services of society, especially call centres, deliveries, care, tourism, logistics, cleaning, among others. In the gig economy, the workforce is characterised by flexibility and independence. These are factors appear as appealing, but, in fact, they represent intensified, informal, temporary, unregulated and unprotected forms of work. In this scenario of (de)regulation and flexibility, the world of digital and platform work comprises a stage of suffering, provided not only by the metrics established by the algorithmic management, embodied in the role of a virtual foreman, but also through temporary work agencies. Across the globe, this type of work is increasingly dependent on, such as women and racialised people. In many cases, this can be stigmatised work, manifested through the exploitation of migrants and minorities, who frequently are the target of these types of jobs. This can lead to an increased risk of social vulnerability, precariousness, insecurity, poverty and social exclusion. In fact, during the Covid-19 pandemic, class inequalities were accentuated through the demarcation between second line and first line essential workers, who were exposed to the virus. Between 2000 and 2023, in-depth interviews were carried out with (im)migrants in Portugal, to analyse forms of resistance and the consequences of precarious work on the lives of digital workers, especially in terms of psychosocial and occupational risks.

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Vulnerability and Resistance Among Digital and Platform Immigrant Workers in Portugal

  • Isabel Roque

摘要

Through the Internet of Things (Industry 4.0), the digitisation process is leading to the uberisation of work. The commoditisation of the service industry, with new participants using computing platforms, is reaching various sectors and services of society, especially call centres, deliveries, care, tourism, logistics, cleaning, among others. In the gig economy, the workforce is characterised by flexibility and independence. These are factors appear as appealing, but, in fact, they represent intensified, informal, temporary, unregulated and unprotected forms of work. In this scenario of (de)regulation and flexibility, the world of digital and platform work comprises a stage of suffering, provided not only by the metrics established by the algorithmic management, embodied in the role of a virtual foreman, but also through temporary work agencies. Across the globe, this type of work is increasingly dependent on, such as women and racialised people. In many cases, this can be stigmatised work, manifested through the exploitation of migrants and minorities, who frequently are the target of these types of jobs. This can lead to an increased risk of social vulnerability, precariousness, insecurity, poverty and social exclusion. In fact, during the Covid-19 pandemic, class inequalities were accentuated through the demarcation between second line and first line essential workers, who were exposed to the virus. Between 2000 and 2023, in-depth interviews were carried out with (im)migrants in Portugal, to analyse forms of resistance and the consequences of precarious work on the lives of digital workers, especially in terms of psychosocial and occupational risks.