> Nobody is being forced into anything. They're choosing this because it's the best opportunity.
That is such a lazy take. Of course people are forced to take whatever job is available: humans need food, shelter and healthcare. If society doesn't collectively agree about a minimum standard of what a job entails, you inevitably ends up with the "bottom of the barrel" living in inhumane conditions. As a society, it is our duty to lift up the standards, not lower them and trample on the already destitute.
Why don't these people accept the existing full-time driving jobs then? Is it because flexibility is paramount and they might already have other commitments?
Why convert many existing opportunities into fewer worse jobs? What's that solve exactly? Do you think there should be no independent contractors? Do you also object to freelancer writers or artists?
> Why don't these people accept the existing full-time driving jobs then?
Which jobs? The ones that got slaughtered when Uber&co undercutted the whole market because they did not have to provide their workers with the basic standards that their competitors have to (i.e insurance, benefits, min. wage)?
> Is it because flexibility is paramount and they might already have other commitments?
How is that related? Flexibility doesn't mean having no rights. You can absolutely have a flexible schedule as an employee.
> Why convert many existing opportunities into fewer worse jobs?
What you call opportunity, I call exploitation in the current way Uber&co run their businesses.
> Do you think there should be no independent contractors? Do you also object to freelancer writers or artists?
How is that related? The relationship and power balance between Uber and their drivers is not even close to "two independant parties", and the courts of California and many other countries around the world agree with me. There is nothing "freelance" about being an Uber driver.
Buses, trucking, shuttles, delivery, emergency, construction, medical transport, etc. Many exist that are unfilled right now. Explain why they're unfilled and yet ridesharing has so many people?
What rights are missing? Be specific.
What's lacking in the power balance? How is different than any other contractor position? Is it a problem if contract writers are told what to write? Is it a problem if contract tech support are told to deal with customers? Why or why not?
That is such a lazy take. Of course people are forced to take whatever job is available: humans need food, shelter and healthcare. If society doesn't collectively agree about a minimum standard of what a job entails, you inevitably ends up with the "bottom of the barrel" living in inhumane conditions. As a society, it is our duty to lift up the standards, not lower them and trample on the already destitute.
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