A delivery worker in Dublin (Shutterstock)

Originally published by the University Observer of University College Dublin:

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.

Temporary employment remains highest among Ireland’s 15-24 age group, according to a University College Dublin study. 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.

Dr. Michelle O’Sullivan, an expert in employment relations at the University of Limerick, explains:

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. These jobs often involve zero-hour contracts, where there is little guarantee of working hours.

Sharvari Khatavkar, a Master’s candidate in Business Analytics at UCD, has worked in cafés and food joints. “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,” she summarizes.

Dr. O’Sullivan points out that the lack of income security is characteristic of precarious jobs. Asmita Seth, a student journalist at UCD who has reported on rising concerns within the gig economy, points to the vulnerability of delivery workers.

Many are immigrants or students who lack social security and fear speaking to the media about their struggles. This leaves them without a voice in discussions on fair wages and working conditions.

Stressed and Low-Waged

According to the European Council, almost 43 million people will work for digital labour platforms in 2025. Many are classified as “self-employed”, so 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 says. “It’s stressful, and the wages are not proportionate. I have done overtime on several occasions but have not been paid for it. I have had to miss college and personal events many times because of impromptu shifts I couldn’t refuse.”

Professor Michael Doherty of Maynooth University, who specialises in labour economics, notes, “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.”

This automated system determines everything from job assignments to pay calculations. Workers may find themselves penalized by opaque rating systems, sudden deactivations, or unpredictable work patterns — but they have little or no recourse in a system with no human oversight and accountability.

Professor Doherty warns that short-term financial relief faces the long-term challenge of instability: “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 shattered when workers realize they have little control over their schedules and earnings, forcing them into a cycle of financial uncertainty.

Flexibility? What Flexibility?

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.”

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 notes, “The willingness to hire us is very low as employers know about our inflexibility due to academic commitments, which adds to our hurdles even more.”

In April 2024, the European 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.

But final approval from the Council is still pending. And if and when the directive is enacted, EU countries will have two years to align their national laws with it. Until then, little will change for young gig workers.

For many, the promise of flexible arrangements 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.”