Vampires in the Technological Mist: The Sharing Economy, Employment and the Quest for Economic Justice and Fairness in a Digital Future

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe gig economy, the sharing economy, or collaborative consumption; these are all synonyms for a technologically enhanced mechanisms for linking independent contractors with consumers for the purposes for exchanging goods and services. This business model has proliferated exponentially in the last decade and has been touted as offering freedom and increased autonomy for workers. However, as yet it seems to have had a vampire-like effect, sucking resources and protections out of the economic eco-system while only benefiting a very small group of technology platform developers and their shareholders. This new business model has given rise to ethical and moral dilemmas which question the role of government in providing the social safety net as well as regulation and policy in protecting employees from abusive labour practices as well as consumers from price gouging and other consumer protection issues including consumer safety. This paper uses the principles of the human rights framework to explore key constructs such as dignity, transparency, accountability and nondiscrimination to begin the process of creating an affirmative framework to guide policy and practice in the future.