Introduction: Work and Labour Relations in Global Platform Capitalism

Prácticas organizativas de trabajadores de plataformas de reparto. Un análisis desde la teoría de los recursos de poder

“…Si bien estas plataformas son empresas multinacionales y se han desarrollado a escala global por la gran disponibilidad de recursos financieros tras la crisis de 2008 y por la expansión de las tecnologías digitales (Haidar y Keune, 2021), su carácter embridado (embedded) otorga ciertas especificidades a su inserción en Argentina. Por un lado, características referidas al momento político-ideológico de llegada al país, y por otro, características referidas al modelo sindical argentino.…”

The multidimensional configuration of platform work: A mixed-methods analysis of the Argentinian case

“…At the same time, digital technology is the fundamental means of exercising what many researchers have called ‘algorithmic management’ (Kellogg et al, 2019; Rosenblat, 2018; Rosenblat and Stark, 2016, among others). This can be defined as a new way of managing the labour force in which the monitoring and supervision of workers are carried out by algorithms in an individualised, continuous, mass and remote way (Haidar and Keune, 2021). The platforms continuously monitor the workers’ profiles and performances through biopolitical technologies such as GPS trackers and the periodic capturing of personal data like ‘selfies’ (on offline platforms), or information about civil status, illnesses, etc.…”

“…Finally, the almost complete digitalisation of socio-employment relationships, the discretional nature of employer decision-making without any possibility of workers to appeal decisions affecting them, and the high degree of versatility and low level of transparency characteristic of algorithms (Moore and Joyce, 2020; Pasquale, 2015) mutually reinforce each other and are an expression of the asymmetry of power between the parties involved. While this disparity is intrinsic to labour relations, the novelty of these platforms is the incorporation of the digitalisation of asymmetries as a way of concealing their existence, shoring up the regulatory figure of self-employment and the subjective construction of the workers as autonomous subjects (Haidar and Keune, 2021).…”

“…This discourse is accompanied by a heterogeneous group of performance technologies (monitoring and surveillance, rewards and penalties, etc. ), which contribute to fabricating and enhancing autonomous subjects and promoting highly individualised and demanding working practices: self-discipline, self-realisation and competition with oneself and other workers (Fleming, 2017; Haidar and Keune, 2021). Stimulated by the ideal of entrepreneurship, workers consider that being better ranked and earning more depends on their own initiative and effort.…”

“…Within the broad and heterogeneous world of digital platforms, work platforms – defined as companies which connect consumers and/or providers with workers who provide services either virtually or in-person through a digital platform – occupy a crucial place (Haidar and Keune, 2021). These companies defend a business model according to which they are mere technological intermediaries without employment relationships with the workers, who are considered to be self-employed.…”