The business world is so good at coining buzz words that almost always mask a hidden desire to maximise profits at the cost of weakening social values. One of the most controversial developments is the so-called ‘gig economy’.

A gig economy is an environment in which temporary positions are common and organisations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements. It is not just musicians who move in this environment.

Some employers are exploiting digitalisation to decrease jobs thereby reducing staff costs, office space and training, and thereby maximising profits. A study by research agency Intuit predicts that by 2020, 40 per cent of American workers would be independent contractors.

Trade unions are adamant that the gig economy is no more than an exploitation of workers, especially those with only basic skills.

The New York Times recently published an editorial in which it showed concern that many working in the gig economy risk being deprived of legal protection and ethical norms that once were widely accepted. Many workers will find the economy of the future an even more inhospitable place.

Sociologists believe that precarious work conditions discourage young people from deciding to form a family as the prospects of regular income become uncertain. Gig workers are usually poorer and are more likely to be minorities than the population at large.

This reality will mean more inequality in our society that is increasingly subjected to the rules of economics that has become a religion with its high priests in the business and political world.

In Malta the gig economy has been in existence for quite some time. Many workers work in the black economy that is well tolerated by both the political administrators as well as businesses and even households.

Older workers are often found to have stronger work ethics, are better at dealing with customers and are often healthy enough not to skive because of some imaginary illness

Home cleaners, care workers, and tradesmen often provide services in an informal way without paying tax and without benefitting from labour laws that, for instance, provide for health and safety protection of workers.

Even large companies are often resorting to engaging independent workers to avoid paying employer national insurance contributions, overtime and sickness benefits. The need is felt to curb this abuse when such practices are a clear attempt to avoid legal obligations that employers should observe to protect their workers.

There are, however, some distinct advantages connected with the gig economy. It may come as a surprise to many that some of the beneficiaries of this working model could be older workers on the verge of retirement or already retired.

With people living longer many feel that they should occupy more of their retirement time working on a reduced hours basis. They do this to supplement their income, to avoid boredom that often afflicts retired persons, and to keep in touch with friends on a social level in a working environment.

Ageism is a scourge of many western societies including our own. It is difficult to prove discrimination on the basis of age in a court of law but the elderly are undoubtedly stigmatised by many businesses.

This is beginning to change in many countries, not because of a sudden moral conversion but because older workers can often add value to a business in ways that are often not acknowledged.

Older workers are often found to have stronger work ethics, are better at dealing with customers and are often healthy enough not to skive because of some imaginary illness.

The advent of businesses like Uber may provide more cost- effective services to the community but they also undermine employment stability that is the bedrock of any society that is concerned about its future.

The gig economy can improve the work-life balance of freelance workers that can work from their homes but for many others it will only increase an element of uncertainty in their earning capacity in the long term.

A young family with a big mortgage that has to be paid on a monthly basis cannot rely on irregular income to put its mind at rest that the bank will not be insisting on regular payments being made at the end of each month.

The gig economy will continue to grow. But there is certainly a strong case of introducing proper legislation to ensure that workers are not exploited.

I am surprised that the Church which is so vocal on issues relating to marriage is much less publicly engaged in fighting the exploitation of low skilled workers and the unemployed.

A well performing economy is a blessing but distressed minorities still need to be supported.

johncassarwhite@yahoo.com