Gig

Singapore’s Gig Economy Workers Face New Financial Challenges: Rising Living Costs Drive Increase in Essential Loans

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Singapore, Singapore – In a recent study by fintech firm Lendela, it has been revealed that platform workers in Singapore, encompassing delivery riders and private-hire drivers, are gradually improving their debt management skills. Notably, debt consolidation, which once led the reasons for borrowing among these workers, has dropped by 15 percent over the past two years. Despite these improvements in financial handling, the persistent rise in living expenses continues to challenge these individuals, shifting the borrowing trend towards covering daily living costs. According to Lendela’s findings, more than a third of delivery riders and approximately … Read more

Mexico Revolutionizes Gig Economy: New Federal Law to Fortify Labor Rights for Digital Platform Workers

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Mexico City, Mexico – Mexico has introduced significant reforms to its Federal Labor Law targeting digital platforms, reshaping employment conditions and rights for gig economy workers. Published on Dec. 24, 2024, the amendments, which will go into effect 180 days later, aim to standardize labor conditions, ensuring those employed in this sector receive comparable protections to other workers like social security, profit-sharing, and union rights. The newly introduced Chapter IX B of the Federal Labor Law establishes specific regulations for gig economy platforms, detailing provisions for digital contracts, work schedules, salary calculations, and algorithmic transparency. … Read more

Walmart and Branch Messenger Face Lawsuit Over Alleged Forced Use of Costly Deposit Accounts for Gig Workers

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Washington, D.C. — In a significant legal action, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has lodged a lawsuit against Walmart and the fintech enterprise Branch Messenger. The CFPB alleges that these companies coerced over one million gig workers into using high-cost deposit accounts for receiving their wages, involving drivers on the Walmart Spark delivery platform. According to the CFPB, many of these accounts were reportedly created without the drivers’ consent. Furthermore, it is claimed that these workers were warned they might face termination if they chose not to accept these specified accounts for their pay … Read more

Gig Economy Firm Temper Works Accused of Helping Businesses Circumvent New UK Tipping and Employment Laws

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Amsterdam, Netherlands – A leading gig economy firm, Temper Works, is facing scrutiny for advising hospitality businesses on how to sidestep new UK legislation designed to ensure fair tipping practices and to mitigate the use of precarious zero-hours contracts. The company, which started its UK operations in 2022, serves over 5,000 entities including notable clients like Hard Rock Cafe, Alexandra Palace, and Claridge’s. Temper Works markets its services to restaurants, hotels, and bars by promoting the exclusion of freelancers from recent tipping legislation, which mandates the inclusion of agency workers in tip-sharing schemes. According to … Read more