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Paper short abstract:

This paper examines the precarious nature of platform-based work in Pakistan, highlighting the systemic exploitation of workers, especially in the absence of legal safeguards. It emphasises the need for reforms based on the principles of 'decent work' to ensure workers' rights and protections.

Paper long abstract:

The rapid expansion of the platform economy globally has brought both opportunities and significant challenges for workers. In Pakistan, platforms like Careem, Foodpanda, and Upwork have introduced flexible work but at the cost of precarious conditions, exploitation, and a lack of social protections. This paper investigates these issues, focusing on the ways platform companies exploit workers by classifying them as independent contractors, thereby avoiding responsibilities like fair wages, social benefits, and job security. The research draws on theories of platform capitalism (Srnicek, 2017), surveillance capitalism (Zuboff, 2019), and algorithmic control (Schor et al., 2020) to explore the structural inequalities within Pakistan’s digital labor landscape.

The study also sheds light on the gendered dimensions of platform work, showing how women and marginalized groups face heightened barriers and are often relegated to lower-paying, insecure jobs. Gender biases, coupled with patriarchal norms, reduce women's earning potential and their participation in the gig economy. However, gender is one aspect of a broader issue, where all workers are affected by the absence of regulatory safeguards. The lack of a robust legal infrastructure, exemplified by the ineffective Platform Workers Protection Bill (2023), leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation.

This paper calls for comprehensive reforms in Pakistan’s labor laws, advocating for policies that prioritize fair wages, social protections, and workers' rights to collective bargaining. By aligning with ILO’s ‘decent work’ principles, it aims to address the growing gap between the promises and realities of platform work in developing countries.