Abstract
This dissertation explores the impact of disruptive technologies on the working experiences of Uber drivers in Johannesburg, South Africa within the context of the rapidly evolving gig economy. As part of this global shift, Uber offers both opportunities for flexible income and significant challenges related to job precarity, safety, and regulatory ambiguities. The study addresses gaps in existing literature on the gig economy in South Africa by examining the unique socio-economic and regulatory challenges Uber drivers face in Johannesburg. Guided by digital labour and platform capitalism theories, this research examines how Uber’s technology-driven model influences driver autonomy, job satisfaction, and safety, providing insights into the broader implications of gig work in the Global South. Through qualitative interviews with 10 Uber drivers, this study explores the interplay between technological advancements and drivers' work conditions, focusing on daily routines, safety concerns, interactions with law enforcement, and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of this study are framed around six key thematic areas. The first theme focuses on shifting gears by investigating the dynamics of daily work routines, where Uber drivers navigate the demands of extended working hours to achieve financial stability, often at the expense of work-life balance and personal well-being. The second thematic finding examined the risk and resilience of Uber drivers by exploring safety concerns in the gig economy, revealing that safety risks are a central issue for drivers, exacerbated by confrontations with traditional taxi drivers and inadequate security measures. These concerns highlight the precarious nature of gig work and the need for robust protective measures. The third thematic finding, the virtual vanguard, explored how technology shapes the gig work experiences and examined how Uber's app-driven model, while offering autonomy, also imposes pressures through performance metrics and monitoring systems that undermine job satisfaction and erode driver independence. Fourthly, the study also discusses the impact of COVID-19 and the gig economy as a perfect storm of vulnerability, illustrating how the pandemic amplified the vulnerabilities of gig workers, particularly through reduced demand, safety concerns, and economic instability. To address these challenges, the fifth thematic finding proposes the need to protect the precariat and makes recommendations for fair labour practices. This proposal entails reimagining work and suggests policy changes such as redesigning drivers' employment classification to grant access to benefits like healthcare and unemployment support, without sacrificing job flexibility. The final thematic finding – reimagining society: envisioning a future of sustainable, equitable work – calls for greater transparency within Uber’s performance systems, initiatives aimed at skill development, and financial literacy to enhance long-term economic mobility for drivers. By integrating these findings, this research contributes to the discourse on digital labour and highlights the need for transformative policies to foster a more sustainable and equitable gig economy model, one that supports both the flexibility and the rights of gig workers in the Global South.