The Rise of the Gig Economy

With the push of a button, you can summon a driver, rent out your apartment, or hire someone to paint your fence. These are all possible because of mobile platforms that directly connect individuals to freelance work. What does the so-called “gig economy” mean for the future of work? Will full-time jobs with benefits eventually be a thing of the past? Supporters argue that these jobs offer flexibility and the opportunity to be your own boss. In this hour, we speak to a critic of the on-demand economy, who argues that sites like Uber and Upwork allow companies to cut costs while exploiting workers. Is the gig economy a raw deal?