Introduction
This toolkit is a practical resource to better understand the online gig economy, whether for personal learning or to support awareness-raising and training sessions. It is a learning guide with detailed explanations, real-life examples and insights into online gig work.
The gig economy is changing how people work and earn a living. By connecting workers to short-term tasks and projects through digital platforms and apps it can provide opportunities to earn income, gain work experience and network. However, gig work can also be unpredictable and characterized by unstable income and a lack of, or limited, labour and social protections.
While it can serve as a pathway to jobs, entrepreneurship and freelancing, achieving self-reliance in the gig economy depends on reliable internet connectivity, access to upskilling and careful financial management, especially for women and youth in rural areas, people with disabilities, migrants and refugees.
Understanding both the opportunities and challenges and making informed decisions are crucial for navigating the rapidly changing labour market. Many people are interested in digital jobs, but misconceptions exist regarding the skills required, the earning potential and the challenges involved.
While the flexibility of gig work can be appealing, work volume and earnings vary. Unlike employees in traditional jobs, gig workers are often self-employed or independent contractors, managing their own clients, projects and income without a fixed salary or long-term employment contract.
In addition, platforms use algorithms that influence task assignment, pricing and worker performance tracking through often undisclosed processes, making it crucial for workers to understand the rules and challenges before getting started in the gig economy.
At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the job market – creating new work opportunities while replacing some with automation, requiring workers to continuously upskill and adapt.
This resource aims to raise awareness of and provide insight into the realities of gig and platform work. It covers:
- types of gig work and what it looks like;
- trade-offs between flexibility and job security;
- skills demand and income levels;
- how online platforms manage payments and contracts;
- gig work as a potential stepping stone to the labour market;
- impact of AI on gig work;
- common challenges and online safety.
Contents
Section 1 – The digital shift in jobs and livelihoods 6
1.1 How are digital technologies changing the labour market? 7
1.2 What does work in the digital economy looks like? 8
1.3 How does gig work fit into the broader digital economy? 8
Section 2 – Understanding the gig economy 9
2.1 What is the difference between gig work and traditional jobs? 10
2.2 Why do people decide to get into gig work? 11
2.3 The high variety of gig work 12
Section 3 – Types of gig work and required skills 13
3.1 Digital platforms in the gig economy 14
3.1.1 Online gig work (cloud work or web-based) 15
3.1.2. In-person gig work (location-based work) 15
3.2 Demand for skills and required levels 16
3.2.1 Basic skill level 16
3.2.2 Medium skill level 16
3.2.3 Professional skill level 17
3.3 How is artificial intelligence influencing gig work? 17
Section 4 – Unlocking opportunities for all and overcoming challenges 18
4.1 The gig economy as a stepping stone to jobs and income 19
4.2 The challenges associated with gig work 19
4.2.1. Fixed costs 19
4.2.2 Unpredictability of work volume and income 22
4.2.3 Online risk 23
4.2.4 Limited or no access to safety nets 25
4.2.5 Stress and long working hours 26
Section 5 – Key takeaways 27
Key Takeaways
The gig economy presents opportunities to earn income, gain experience or new skills, and expand work networks, including across borders. However, it can also be unpredictable and characterized by unstable income and lack of, or limited labour and social protections, making smart planning and informed decision-making important.
Gig work is not like traditional employment
- gig work does not come with a fixed employer;
- workers are often classified as self-employed or independent contractors, and need to find their
own clients and projects through online platforms and apps.Flexibility versus stability: - gig work lets you set your own schedule, but it does not guarantee a steady income or job security;
- without proper management, long hours and unpredictable workloads can lead to stress or burnout.
Planning is key
- gig work requires good time management, organization, budgeting skills and self-discipline to
handle deadlines, clients’ expectations, ratings and project flow.
Weighing the pros and cons
- think about income stability, work-life balance and fixed costs;
- understand the legal, labour and social protections available before signing up.
Platform terms and conditions, payments
- platforms all have different rules regarding payment, fees and workers’ rights;
- be aware that platform algorithms influence task assignment and final pay, often through undisclosed processes;
- knowing how platforms work can help workers avoid scams, unfair treatment, financial instability, or payment disputes.
Opportunities, skills and earnings
- availability of gig work depends on region, internet access, regulations, economic conditions and skill levels;
- earnings also vary — specialized workers earn more, while lower-skilled workers may face low pay and income instability.
Watch Videos
The guide includes 8 short animated videos illustrating key themes of the toolkit through stories. The videos are also available in Arabic, French and Spanish.
Attribution CC BY