The number of workers in the gig economy is uncertain. A 2020 estimate puts it at 30 000 full-time workers, but growing about 10/year. Most gig workers in the country are in e-hailing services, such as Uber and Bolt. These have a combined 60 000 drivers on their system but not all the registered drivers are actually working for these companies at present and many drivers would be registered on both systems.
These services promote themselves as opportunities for independence, allowing drivers to set their own hours or earn additional income as a 'side hustle". But it also leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and with little recourse to legal remedies.
In South African law, gig workers are classified as "independent contractors". Operating companies, such as Uber, Bolt and Pingo responsible for administering Sixty60 drivers, benefit by keeping workers in a permanent state of uncertainty. There is little downside for these companies to onboard as many drivers as possible and leaving the drivers to compete for limited work.
Gig workers are responsible for their own expenses. For drivers, this means covering the cost of fuel, maintenance and insurance. This eats into their already meagre monthly earnings, resulting in many gig workers earning well below the minimum monthly wage.
Platform work drives down wages. Globally, in comparison to their employed counterparts, independent gig workers earn 64 less for doing the same job , according to the International Labour Organisation.