Do platform workers reject social protection, embracing self-reliance and meritocracy? Our research says no. Platform workers demand better access to social benefits, pushing for both social consumption and investment. With @mbusemeyer.bsky.social journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/... 🧵Thread ⬇️ - ThreadSky

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julianachueri.bsky.social • 18 hours ago

Do platform workers reject social protection, embracing self-reliance and meritocracy?

Our research says no.
Platform workers demand better access to social benefits, pushing for both social consumption and investment.
With @mbusemeyer.bsky.social
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10245294251318440

🧵Thread ⬇️

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julianachueri.bsky.social•18 hours ago

1/ Platform work has expanded rapidly, especially during the pandemic. This growth has intensified worker insecurity, with unstable income, lack of social protection, and unpredictable job loss.

julianachueri.bsky.social•18 hours ago

2/ The dominant narrative suggests that platform workers see themselves as self-reliant entrepreneurs who reject collective protections. Platform companies reinforce this, arguing that regulation would go against worker preferences. But is this true?

julianachueri.bsky.social•18 hours ago

3/ Using data from 26 OECD countries, we show that platform workers are not indifferent to welfare state support. In fact, they are more supportive of expanding both social consumption (e.g., unemployment benefits) and social investment (e.g., job training) than regular and other atypical workers.

julianachueri.bsky.social•18 hours ago

4/ This has important implications for politics and policy. Platform workers should not be seen as isolated entrepreneurs but as part of a broader workforce seeking welfare state protections. They are potential allies of unions in the demand for expansion of social protection.

julianachueri.bsky.social•18 hours ago

5/ While the growth of the platform economy is often seen as a threat to welfare states, our research suggests the opposite. Digital transformations may actually create new constituencies that push for stronger social protections and drive momentum for a social investment turn.

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