IDFA Documentary: ' The gig is up '

JBR is a sponsor of Club IDFA

JBR is a sponsor of Club IDFA, which means that we and associates visit the festival every year at Pathé Tuschinski. Like many cultural events, our event was postponed because of corona. Fortunately, close to our office in Zeist there is a cozy cinema hall and lounge in Hotel Theater Figi, giving us the opportunity to show 'our' documentary after all.

Ronald van Rijn

In her documentary, filmmaker Shannon Walsh shows how people around the world are working under deplorable conditions in this new form of labor.

The documentary is about the promise of work platform organizations in recruiting. You set your own working hours, you are your own boss and you can earn a lot.

The reality is different. Very little of the promised autonomy remains in practice.

Working as a bicycle courier is dangerous and tiring. If you have to support a family by delivering meals you make too many hours. As a driver with Uber, you use your own car. Fuel, insurance, maintenance and damage costs are not compensated. There are many hidden costs.

In addition, you also depend on the order taker's rating. As soon as the recipient is in a bad mood or if you deliver an incomplete order, you get a bad rating. This immediately drops you in the rankings and you get fewer or no orders.

Layla

The documentary tells the story of Layla, from Paris. She is a flash delivery driver at Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Layla is a single mother taking care of her son. She is exhausted and does dangerous work. A dear colleague is hit while working as a bicycle courier; he later dies of his injuries.

Layla

Jason

Jason from Florida has gold teeth and a criminal record. A regular job is not an option for him. He fills out online surveys and earns only a few cents per survey. He poses as an African-American Republican, which makes his opinions popular. Jason estimates he has made more than $30,000. He cares for his ailing mother and sponsors her addiction to scratch cards. Little is left of his earnings.

Jason

Mitchel

Mitchell in Nigeria works at Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk), a bottomless pit of strange "microtasks" to optimize Amazon's AI. Tasks are offered day and night, and Amazon pays him in gift certificates from ... Amazon.

Mitchel

Mr. Maaike Faber is the moderator

Maaike Faber has worked at Wijn & Stael since 2015 and specializes in employment law. She assists employers and employees in numerous employment law cases.

Many networking platforms deploy workers as self-employed, but it is questionable whether this is justified. The nature of the employment relationship determines workers' rights, and thus of great importance to the position of workers.

Her statements on labor law and authority relations prompted questions and comments from the audience:

• "It reminds me of the industrial revolution with a poor invisible working class.
• 'It's like modern slavery, because of the low earnings and no right to social security.'
• 'It would be a duty of the United Nations to protect the rights of these people worldwide.'
• 'Self-employment/ZP constructions will become increasingly important in labor.'
• "A basic income could generate a more stable income for these workers.
• 'Should we really want this in our society? You don't really want this, do you?'

Mr. Maaike Faber

Following, there was a networking reception with engaging conversations. The documentary is food for conversation and food for thought.

Now when we see a flash delivery driver cycling, we also think about working conditions and earnings. What do they earn per ride? Do they have a labor contract? Do they pay for their own equipment? How are they insured? Are they paid on sick leave?

Probably all attendees will use services more thoughtfully through work platforms.

Thank you for your presence and involvement.