Where is the extent of undignified work on digital platforms? Discussing the nuances of uberization in the center and periphery and the challenges for workers

Abstract

This article will address the phenomenon of work on digital platforms from a perspective that we need to understand the labor society in its global dimension (Maciel, 2021). This includes thinking about the platform economy in its general aspects and the diversity of national contexts that platforms establish. Therefore, the objective is to compare six Latin American countries and six European countries that are included in the Fairwork Project’s ratings database weaving a parallel of discussions about the work at the center and periphery of capitalism. To this end, I will use the qualitative
methodology of documentary analysis seeking to show the best evaluations of digital platforms and the worst evaluations having as guide the question: where is the dimension of undignified work, of digital platforms? " The results show that the worst evaluations of decent work on digital platforms are predominantly located in Latin countries endorses the hypothesis that digital platforms contribute to the production and reproduction of a global inequality. This analysis does not initially intend to establish any causal relationship, but should provide empirical material for the intended discussion, which includes the challenges for the social protection of platform workers.