ECLAC (August 2017) Digital work platforms are transforming labor markets around the world. Firms that own, manage and deploy these work platforms have reframed employer–worker relations by defining their core business as the provision of the technology that enables certain services to be provided rather than the provision of those services, and offering their workers independent contractor arrangements rather than employee contracts. This has significant consequences in terms of wages, jobs security and other working conditions.

The Government is being urged to close loopholes around the treatment of self-employed workers following intense scrutiny of gig-economy companies such as Deliveroo and Uber. A joint draft bill from the Work and Pensions and Business Committees has argued that there should be a new “worker by default” status, which requires companies to provide basic standards and benefits.

lapresse.ca (31.07.2017) La fiscaliste Marwah Rizqy incite Ottawa et Québec à emboîter le pas à plusieurs pays de l'OCDE pour récupérer les millions de dollars en taxes sur les achats de produits ou de services en ligne que les gouvernements perdent chaque année.

mit.edu - What new business models are made possible by digitization? How can entrepreneurs more quickly implement these models in ways that create widespread benefits for all? The IDE works to define the basic principles and systems to help companies design successful platform strategies and facilitate the digital transformation of work and commerce. Our team of researchers examine how networked platforms— like the ones used by Uber, Airbnb, and eBay—are changing the way companies do business.

How many people are in the gig economy? We’re very interested in this question at Nation1099, and, as it happens, it isn’t an easy question to find answers to, especially since the gig economy is growing and changing very fast and people mean many different things by the term. Employment in general is undergoing dramatic changes, often summarized as “the future of work” or Workforce 2.0.

How can you get started as a freelancer when the path in your country is unclear? In a series of posts, we’ve invited freelancers from around the world to share tips and best practices they’ve learned along the way. In this post, Leo Brambilla talks about his experience as an Argentinian freelancer. Please note that this article presents general information provided by a freelancer and does not constitute tax or legal advice. It’s a good idea for every freelancer to speak to a personal advisor to determine the requirements and options for your particular situation.

Editor’s note: This essay is part of a series being published to help commemorate the Monthly Labor Review’s centennial (July 1915–July 2015). The essays―written by eminent authorities and distinguished experts in a broad range of fields―cover a variety of topics pertinent to the Review and the work of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Each essay is unique and comprises the words and opinion of the author. We’ve found these essays to be enlightening and inspirational. We hope you do as well. We’re entering a new era.

Forbes (26.01.2016)  There are 53 million freelancers in America today. By 2020, 50% of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers (this does not mean they are all full-time freelancers, but one of every two workers will be freelancers in some capacity). This on-demand work, instant gig economy is moving more and more into independent professionals that are using mobile and technology to create ecosystems of work they enjoy. Who says you can’t drive an Uber in the morning, design websites all afternoon, and cater your own food company at night?

igas.gouv.fr (Mai 2017) Ce rapport est une première tentative, à l’initiative de l’IGAS, pour décrire et analyser, en France, l’impact des plateformes collaboratives (comme Uber, Airbnb, Blablacar ou LeBonCoin) sur le marché du travail, la sécurité sociale, l’assurance chômage….

The Freelancers Union “53 million” report contains data results of the most comprehensive survey of the U.S. independent workforce in nearly a decade. Here are a few of the main stats from the report: