What is it about?

Digital platforms and online applications have changed how people work. Many workers now earn income through ride-hailing, delivery services, online freelancing, and other forms of gig work. This study examines how the growth of the gig economy is affecting workers’ opportunities, job security, and inequality in Indonesia. Rather than viewing the gig economy only as a source of new jobs, the article explores the risks and challenges faced by gig workers. These include unstable income, limited access to social protection, weak legal protection, and unequal bargaining power between workers and digital platforms. While gig work can provide flexibility and entry points into the labour market, not all workers benefit equally. The study shows that the rapid expansion of digital labour platforms may increase labour inequality, especially for workers with lower skills, limited digital access, or little social protection. Many gig workers remain outside formal labour regulations, making them more vulnerable to income shocks and workplace risks. Overall, the article highlights the need for updated labour policies that reflect the realities of platform-based work. Protecting workers’ rights, expanding access to social security, and ensuring fair working conditions are essential to making the gig economy more inclusive. These findings are relevant for policymakers, labour organisations, platform companies, and anyone interested in the future of work in Indonesia.

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Why is it important?

Digital platforms are rapidly changing how people work in Indonesia. The gig economy—such as ride-hailing, delivery services, and online freelancing —has expanded rapidly, offering new income opportunities while also raising concerns about job security and inequality. This article examines whether the gig economy is helping to create inclusive employment or instead deepening labour and digital inequality. What makes this article unique is its focus on the social and policy implications of gig work, rather than technology or platform growth alone. The study examines workers’ experiences, including income stability, access to social protection, and legal recognition, highlighting how different groups of workers benefit unevenly from digital platforms. The article is also timely. Indonesia is currently facing rapid digitalisation alongside ongoing debates about labour law reform, social protection coverage, and the future of work. As more workers rely on platform-based jobs, understanding their risks and vulnerabilities has become urgent for policymakers and labour institutions. The findings suggest that without clear regulation and inclusive policies, gig work can reinforce existing inequalities. However, with the right governance framework, it can also support economic inclusion and flexibility. By linking empirical evidence to policy discussion, this article helps policymakers, researchers, and practitioners rethink how digital labour can be governed more fairly, making it highly relevant to current labour, governance, and development debates.

Perspectives

I was motivated to work on this article because I have observed how rapidly the gig economy has become part of everyday working life in Indonesia, often faster than labour regulations and social protection systems can respond. While digital platforms are frequently presented as symbols of innovation and opportunity, I was concerned that workers' experiences—especially those facing insecurity and unequal access—were not receiving sufficient attention. Through this research, I wanted to move beyond discussions of technology and examine the human side of digital work. Listening to workers’ stories and analysing labour conditions made it clear that flexibility often comes with significant trade-offs, including unstable income, limited legal protection, and weak bargaining power. These challenges are not evenly distributed and tend to affect already vulnerable groups the most. One insight that has stayed with me is that the gig economy is neither entirely beneficial nor entirely harmful. Its impact depends largely on how governments, platforms, and institutions regulate and support workers. This reinforced my belief that the future of work should be intentionally shaped rather than left to market forces alone. I hope this publication encourages policymakers, labour organisations, and researchers to take a more balanced and inclusive approach to digital labour governance—one that protects workers while allowing innovation to continue.

Associate Professor Septiana Dwiputrianti
STIA LAN Bandung

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This page is a summary of: Gig Economy or Digital Inequality? Lessons for Indonesia’s Labour Future, Jurnal Ketenagakerjaan, December 2025, Kementerian Ketenagakerjaan Republik Indonesia,
DOI: 10.47198/jnaker.v20i3.616.
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