Mitigating Risks and Harnessing Opportunities for the Digitally Enabled Care Economy

Policy Brief 2023 Florencia Caro Sachetti, Vanesa D’Alessandre, Carolina Robino, Katja Freiwald, Ankita Panda, Sabina Dewan, Estefania Charvet, Francisco Cos Montiel, Megan O’Donnell, Gillian Dowie, Manisha Desai

This Policy Brief was first published in https://t20ind.org

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The digital economy has revolutionised the world of work, and the care and domestic work sector is no exception. Less regulated than traditional labour markets, online platforms can offer new opportunities for care and domestic workers (CDWs). Yet, although some companies around the world have improved working standards, most platforms perpetuate poor conditions and erode labour rights. While the gig economy of care flourishes, opportunities emerge for a more just and inclusive world of on-demand work. Investing in the care economy, while tackling the challenges and seizing the opportunities of technology- enabled labour markets, should be a priority for the G20. This Policy Brief proposes a three-pillar strategy to advance the rights of CDWs in the gig economy: advancing comprehensive care systems, implementing social protection floors, and rethinking labour schemes for platform workers.