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Gig work is just turning the poor class into servants. And adding further debt to other poors trying to use these services. (lemmy.world)
submitted 6 months ago by to c/showerthoughts@lemmy.world
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How quickly we accepted that it's normal to pay someone to go get our groceries for us. To drive us around when public transportation is available. To run errands for us. To bring us fast food.

Covid capitalized on it.

People don't want to give up that luxury now that they've had it. Even if it makes things cost 2x-3x as much.

Even when we all know its exploitive labor.

It's true delivery and driver services have been around for hundreds of years but now instead of companies with full time employees (with benefits) , the gig employee gets paid less while taking on risk that aren't compensated by the employer (car accidents, gas, car repairs, injury or attacks).

Gig work is a much worse thing than maybe a lot of people realize. And it's also making more people servants to others.

It's moving full time employees with benefits and using company property to no benefits and using their own property that they have to pay for.

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[–] 0 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) (2 children)

If you're allowed to rent the car for gig work, they'll almost assuredly offer the insurance for it, and not all gig work is ride share.

Depreciation, maintenance, those are lumped into the cost of the rental.

And the duh was about that, I handled the insurance comment separately.

edit: e.g

https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/misc/index.jsp?targetPage=delivery_rentals.jsp

They offer the rental and insurance. They don't let you carry another person though, so not all gig work, at least on this specific plan.

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  • [–] 1 point 6 months ago (1 child)

    So Avis, for example, offers an insurance from Uber for rideshare via Rasier and Portier, and so you're basically renting and insuring cars from the company you're being paid by. Yes, Avis is an intermediary there, but the whole idea is crazy to me, that you'd pay your employer to work.

    So are they having profitable days? I guess I'm as curious as you are, but I just can't imagine a scenario where you're making decent money in exchange for the time you put in. I suppose reliance on tips makes the difference, but Uber is over here cleaning up, charging you and the customer.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

    Ya, I have no idea how they are pulling it off and making more than minimum wage... but the whole thing is possible in theory, and you'd know what you are spending each day with no hidden costs.

    If they aren't doing this as their main job, maybe you can sneak a few days in here and there where they offer highly discounted promotions? Or do it on days where volume is expected to be high?

    edit: maybe they aren't even making minimum wage, but they like the idea they can make $40 on a random night without having to be responsible to anyone but themselves?

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