Gig economy definition needed in Mayor’s upcoming charter

There is no single, agreed definition of the gig economy, despite the huge impact it has had on the working world in recent years. The gig economy spans a range of sectors and its rise has led to companies like Amazon, Uber, and Deliveroo becoming household names.

An investigation by the London Assembly Economy Committee heard that the Mayor is introducing a Good Work Charter focused specifically on the gig economy, due to be launched by the end of summer 2022.

Today, the Committee has written to the Mayor urging him to use his Good Work Charter to set out a clear definition of the gig economy. This would ensure clarity about which workers and businesses fall under the scope of the charter. It also calls on him to consult with Londoners to ensure that the charter’s provisions reflect the experiences of gig economy workers.

The Committee has also written to the Business Secretary urging the Government to bring forward an employment bill that outlines a clear definition of the gig economy.



Neil Garratt AM, Chairman of the Economy Committee, said:



“The rise of the gig economy has changed the way many people work. Yet there is still no single, agreed definition of the gig economy and limited data on workers in this area.



“Some workers welcome the flexibility provided by the gig economy, but for others, it is a source of insecure work, with few rights, and low pay.



“The Mayor’s Good Work Charter could be a welcome step in supporting gig economy workers. To give London’s workers and businesses clarity, we think that a clear definition of the gig economy should be included in this charter.”