The Fox and the Hedgehog: Digital Platforms and Livelihood Diversification in Thailand

17 May 2019
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Thailand has witnessed a rise in the platform economy and it has produced workers who are multifunctional and shift between jobs, occupations and sectors with relative ease.

Abstract

Thailand has witnessed a rise in the platform economy and it has produced workers who are multifunctional and shift between jobs, occupations and sectors with relative ease. However, it has had negative consequences on workers too, especially women. Analysing the findings of a survey data, the essay highlighted that the precarious nature of platform work, lack of social security and labour rights for online gig workers forced people to take up multiple jobs simultaneously. This multifunctionality impacted women more since they were also burdened with domestic responsibilities. They faced difficulty in maintaining work-life balance, potentially affecting their health.