Does the Gig sector actually provide the independence and flexibility it promises? Contributing Writer Arpita Chowdhury discusses.

By Arpita Chowdhury | Apr 22 2025

The gig economy sells a dream of independence, flexibility, and financial autonomy. However, for many young workers and students in Ireland, this so-called freedom comes at a high price—low pay, unstable hours, and the constant threat of being “deactivated” without warning.

Dr. Michelle O’Sullivan. Dr O’Sullivan, an expert in employment relations at Limerick University, sat down with the UO to discuss gig work. “The gig economy can consist of different types of workers – the high-skilled, high-paid self-employed professionals and the low-paid occupations, which can either be done online or in-person. Students are more likely to be in the latter category,” explains Dr O’Sullivan. “These jobs often involve zero-hour contracts, where there is little guarantee of working hours.”

Temporary employment remains highest among Ireland's 15-24 age group, according to a University College Dublin (UCD) study by Gallagher and Nugent. While part-time or gig work provides students with a much-needed source of income, especially amid the rising cost of living, the unpredictability and lack of protections make it an unsustainable choice for many.

Sharvari Khatavkar, an MSc Business Analytics student at UCD, shared her experience in an interview with the UO. She has worked in cafés and food joints, where she has experienced the instability of gig work first-hand. “My job stability depends entirely on customer footfall,” she says.

She recounts how, on several occasions, she had to miss college and personal commitments due to last-minute changes in her work schedule. “I feel lucky that I haven’t faced any unfair treatment at my workplace, but I still hope for better rights for young workers.”

Dr. O’Sullivan points out that this lack of income security is a key characteristic of precarious jobs. The issue extends beyond food service jobs to other gig economy sectors. Asmita Seth, a student journalist from UCD’s Department of Journalism and International Affairs, who has reported on rising concerns within the gig economy, highlights the vulnerability of delivery workers. “Many delivery workers in Ireland are immigrants or students who lack social security and fear speaking to the media about their struggles,” she notes. “This leaves them without a voice in discussions on fair wages and working conditions.”

It’s stressful, and the wages are not proportionate. I have done overtime on several occasions but have not been paid for it.

The European Council found that nearly 43 million people are expected to work for digital labour platforms by 2025. Despite the economic contributions, gig workers are often denied basic employment rights. Many are classified as “self-employed,” meaning they do not receive minimum wage guarantees, sick leave, or paid holidays. The lack of these protections is particularly harmful to students, who rely on gig work to support themselves through college. While the work might seem like a quick financial fix, the reality is far more complicated. “I feel it is unfair for young students like us,” Sharvari shared. “It’s stressful, and the wages are not proportionate. I have done overtime on several occasions but have not been paid for it.”

I also had the privilege of interviewing Professor Michael Doherty from Maynooth University.  Professor Doherty, who specialises in labour economics, highlights a critical issue with gig work platforms and their reliance on algorithms. “These platforms are driven by algorithms, which means often there is not a human manager overseeing the work and making decisions, and algorithms can have built-in biases,” he explains. This automated system determines everything from job assignments to pay calculations, leaving workers with little to no recourse when issues arise. Workers may find themselves penalized by opaque rating systems, sudden deactivations, or unpredictable work patterns, all dictated by an algorithm that lacks human oversight and accountability.

The promise of flexibility, however, is often misleading. “I have had to miss college and personal events many times because of impromptu shifts I couldn’t refuse,” Sharvari notes.

While gig work offers short-term financial relief, Professor Doherty warns that its instability creates long-term challenges. “It [gig work] is very insecure (and the flexibility can be severely impacted if you MUST work at peak hours, for example, in food delivery); the level of income varies wildly from week to week, making it difficult to plan ahead and apply for loans.” The illusion of independence is often shattered when workers realize they have little control over their schedules and earnings, forcing them into a cycle of financial uncertainty. Ultimately, this calls into question the sustainability of gig work as a viable employment model.

I have had to miss college and personal events many times because of impromptu shifts I couldn’t refuse

Beyond financial instability, gig work is also reshaping social structures. Traditional workplaces have long been spaces where young people build professional networks and social connections. Gig workers, on the other hand, often work in isolation. Long hours can lead to burnout, and the lack of a support system only exacerbates the problem. Sharavari notes, “Juggling both academics and work becomes difficult and sometimes by the end of the day, when I come back from work, I feel frustrated and I’m not sure if this can be classified as burnout.”

The absence of a unified voice is another challenge for young gig workers. Without a collective workplace, union participation remains low, weakening their bargaining power. “Unions are the only organisations whose purpose is to improve workers’ pay and conditions,” Dr. O’Sullivan explains. “But many young people aren’t joining them. If you have a problem in an insecure job, challenging management alone can be incredibly difficult. That’s where unions offer strength.”

Sharvari believes that employers should be more accommodating of students’ academic work. “The willingness to hire us is very low as they [employers] know about our inflexibility due to academic commitments, which adds to our hurdles even more.”

In April 2024, the European Union Parliament approved the EU platform workers directive, a significant step toward improving working conditions for gig economy workers. The directive aims to reclassify those misclassified as self-employed, improve transparency, and regulate algorithm-driven decisions that impact workers’ livelihoods. However, final approval from the Council is still pending, and even once enacted, EU countries will have two years to align their national laws with the directive. Until then, little will change for young gig workers, who remain trapped in precarious jobs with low pay, unstable hours, and minimal protections.

For many, the promise of flexibility remains an illusion. “Flexibility often comes at the cost of fair pay and protection,” says Sharvari. “There’s often no one to turn to when things go wrong.”