Posts tagged remote-work

Navigating the Gig Economy in Indonesia: A New Era of Work

The Indonesian workforce is embracing the gig economy, a trend previously dominated by Western markets. The gig economy allows individuals to work flexible hours, often as freelancers rather than permanent employees. However, it can also lead to underemployment and instability. The trend is largely driven by digitalization and the rise of app economies, and has been further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Indonesian workers turn to gig work for economic liberation, social mobility, and diversified career paths. However, the author acknowledges that this state of affairs results in divergent experiences, with some benefiting but others facing scarcity and underemployment. The gig economy is present in various platforms, such as Gojek, Freelancer.co.id, Upwork, and Fiverr, each catering to different niches. Despite the opportunities provided by the gig economy, challenges exist such as lack of security, stigma and systemic issues like lack of legal protection. The author believes that the government should play a crucial role in ensuring the gig economy’s contribution to the national economy and that gig workers should adopt strategies for self-protection and sustainable success.

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