Authors: Bowles N and Scheiber N.
Date of Publication: 2019
A state law meant to protect workers at companies like Uber and Lyft takes effect on Wednesday.
Some say it will limit their prospects. [View resource]
California Wanted to Protect Uber Drivers. Now It May Hurt Freelancers. Read More »
Authors: Ivanova M., Bronowicka J., Kocher E., et al.
Date of Publication: 2019
The App as a Boss? Control and Autonomy in Application-Based Management Read More »
Date of Publication: 25 February 2019
The South African government recognises that the social economy has the potential to stimulate
economic activity while fostering greater social cohesion, inclusion and solidarity. A case may be
made for an appropriate set of policy support. The Draft Green Paper is a consultation document
that sets out preliminary thinking and proposals of a policy position, with specific recommendations,
for consultation with a range of interested parties. After the initial consultation, it will be considered
within Government and. if approved, released as a Green Paper. Formal consultation will then be
conducted and, on conclusion of the process, Government will consider the matter further and any
approved policy will be published in the form of a White Paper, either for consultation or for
implementation. [View resource]
National Social Economy: Draft Green Paper Read More »
Date: 2019
The Bill contains provisions to regulate the licensing of “electronic hailing services” (clauses 1(c), 40
and 41). After being passed by the National Council of Provinces on 28 March 2019, it was returned
to the National Assembly where it lapsed and was revived on 29 October 2019. It is still under
consideration by the National Assembly. [View resource]
National Land Transport Amendment Bill Read More »
Court: Ireland High Court
Date: 20 December 2019
In this judgment, the High Court in Ireland has ruled that delivery drivers for a Domino’s Pizza
franchise should be treated as holding contracts of service rather than as self-employed contractors
for employment tax purposes. It is the most recent judgment of the Irish High Court relating to
employment status in the so-called ‘gig economy’. [View resource]
Authors: Hannah Johnston and Chris Land-Kazlauskas
‘Gig’ or platform-based work represents one of the most recent, highly-publicized labour market
trends. Attributed to the increased demand for flexibility on the part of employers, better labour
market efficiency and, in some cases the desire for greater flexibility on the part of workers, gig and
platform-based work is one type of non-standard work facilitated through technology and digital
markets, on-demand. [View resource]
Organizing on-demand: Representation, voice, and collective bargaining in the gigeconomy Read More »
Date of Publication: 2019
The Report sets out perspectives for a future of work with social justice in the region. It takes into
account the messages of the African future of work dialogues and the regional contributions to the
Centenary Session of the Conference as well as the decent work contribution in support of
continental objectives including that of structural transformation that yields a better and brighter
future for all Africans. The Report also contains a review of key regional trends and an assessment of
the implementation of the Addis Ababa Declaration (AAD) adopted at the 13th ARM. [View resource]
Advancing Social Justice: Shaping the future of work in Africa Read More »
Author: Larry Diamond
Date of Publication: 2019
Once hailed as a great force for human empowerment and liberation, social media and related digital tools have rapidly come to be regarded as a major threat to democratic stability and human freedom. Based on a deeply problematic business model, social-media platforms are showing the potential to exacerbate hazards that range from authoritarian privacy violations to partisan echo chambers to the spread of malign disinformation. Authoritarian forces are also profiting from a series of other advances in digital technology, notably including the revolution in artificial intelligence (AI). These developments have the potential to fuel a “postmodern totalitarianism” vividly illustrated by China’s rapidly expanding projects of digital surveillance and social control. They also pose a series of challenges for contemporary democracies. [View Resource]
The Road to Digital Unfreedom: The Threat of Postmodern Totalitarianism Read More »
Authors: Erina Kikarea and Mayaan Menashe
Date of Publication: 2019
The advent of the digital revolution brought about a wave of optimism and raised the hopes of societies for better governance and more freedoms, hopes that today seem dashed, at least partly. There is a widespread belief that new and emerging information and communication technologies (ICTs) pose threats to the rights of individuals and groups, and give rise to complex global governance questions. A growing amount of literature shows how they present challenges for data privacy, discrimination, and inequality, as well as for economic relationships, human rights and freedoms more generally. This introductory article seeks to set the background and context of the new and emerging technologies, particularly cyber- space, Big Data, AI and global governance. [View Resource]
Engaged research, teaching and advocacy on law and policy to overcome barriers to decent work in a fast changing global environment.
Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, Cape Town
centrow@uwc.ac.za
