Informalization in gig food delivery in the UK: the case of hyper flexible and precarious work

Mendon�a Cardoso, Pedro; Kougiannou, Nadia K.; Clark, Ian

Abstract

This article examines the process of informalization of work in platform food delivery work in the UK. Drawing on qualitative data, this article provides new analytical insight into what drives individual formal couriers to both supply and demand informalized sub-contracted gig work to undocumented migrants, and how a platform company enables informal work practices through permissive HR practices and technology. In doing so, this article shows how platform companies are enablers of informal labor markets and contribute to the expansion of hyper-precarious working conditions.

Citation

Mendonça Cardoso, P., Kougiannou, N. K., & Clark, I. (2023). Informalization in gig food delivery in the UK: the case of hyper flexible and precarious work. Industrial Relations, 62(1), 60-77. https://doi.org/10.1111/irel.12320

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 8, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Aug 29, 2022
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 30, 2022
• Journal: Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society
• Print ISSN: 0019-8676
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-232X
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 62
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 60-77
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/irel.12320
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2896792