iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

When companies can save €9,000 to €18,000 a year by hiring a worker as a freelancer, and the chances of there ever being a labour inspection are minimal, why would we be surprised that bogus self-employment is spreading? Book review: thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/review-wor...

thegigeconomyproject.substack.com

Review: Working in the Gray Zone

Book review

044

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Chris Bambery & I discuss the housing movement in Spain and the wider political context. In the run-up to the election on 29 Nov, we are going to do one pod a week talking about Spanish history, economy, geopolitics etc: subscribe @conterscot.bsky.social and listen! www.patreon.com/conterscot/p...

000

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Read more and subscribe here on the Gig Economy Project substack: thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/gig-worker...

thegigeconomyproject.substack.com

Gig workers are also renters

Newsletter

010

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Gig workers are also renters.

110

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Gig workers are also renters, forced into insecure housing by the poverty of their wages, and visa-versa. As the housing protests in Spain show, the struggle for the right to housing and to decent work are linked together. Latest newsletter: thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/gig-worker...

021

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

In Spain, they protest for the right to secure housing. In Germany, they demonstrate against military conscription. Education, housing, peace: the youth want a future worth living, but capitalism won't give it!

010

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Ever get the feeling that, rather than being a tool for European sovereignty, the Brussels machine just makes subordination to the US more streamlined?

010

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

There will be a general strike against rentierism and the speculative housing model in Spain! ✊✊✊ bsky.app/profile/elsa...

020

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

'The housing movement has transformed Spanish politics, and might save Sánchez on 29 November' My thoughts on a high-stakes Spanish General Election ⬇️ braveneweurope.com/national-pol...

021

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

A key to the election will be whether the parties to the left of PSOE can get their act together and present a dynamic & united ticket, and raise the alternative left's vote to minimum 10%. Again, the housing movement has presented an opportunity that wasn't there before but the divisions run deep.

000

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This is a hail mary from Sánchez. The Right are still strong favourites to win. But the Left now go into the election with a message that is popular, while the Right have nothing to say on housing because everyone knows they are in the pocket of the rentiers and the speculators.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

In some ways its sad that the housing movement has been used for electoral ends, it would have been interesting to see how it would have evolved independently of elections. On the other hand, if the left win a surprising victory, the housing movement will have huge political power in the next term.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

General Election in Spain, 29 November. It will be a contest over narratives: is Spain divided by social class, between those who pay rent and those who collect it, or is it divided between native and migrant, between christian and muslim? High stakes!

132

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Glovo is already facing a labour inspectorate investigation over continuing to operate during a heatwave in Barcelona in the summer. It should also be held to account for operating during a flood in Bilbao. No rider should be pounding the streets during extreme weather. bsky.app/profile/fons...

084

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

This is amazing to see. The movement is not slowing after the fall of the housing decrees - it's growing. The call from the movement for a general strike is one union leaders should take seriously: housing is a lightening rod for working class unity! bsky.app/profile/faro...

055

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Finally, a country has actually transposed the EU Platform Work Directive. Well done Slovakia! We take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of 'The Act on Work Performed through Digital Labour Platforms' in this GEP briefing: thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/first-pwd-...

022

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The Platform Work Directive legislative process has dragged on 5 years: in most EU states it's now set to go on even longer, cos govts arent fussed about missing the legal deadline. Every day the status quo continues is another day of poverty wages. thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/why-govern...

thegigeconomyproject.substack.com

Why governments are not worried about missing the deadline for Platform Work Directive transposition

Newsletter + report from Platforum in Gdansk

011

Reposted by Ben Wray

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Important new study launched this week by @workerinfox.bsky.social and @etuc-ces.bsky.social on Uber's dynamic pay system in Europe. We have worked with drivers across 10 European countries to understand how this exploitative pay system works and what impact it has. Short 🧵about what we found.

112

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

This research has contributed towards the evidence base for the class-action lawsuit that WIX is pursuing against Uber in the Amsterdam District Court over its use of dynamic pay systems. Drivers can join the class action here: dynamicpay.org ENDS

dynamicpay.org

Has Uber’s dynamic pay cut into your livelihood?

Uber’s pay system has left many drivers earning less, facing unpredictable shifts, and longer waiting times. A new collective action in the Netherlands.

020

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The use of algorithms to determine commission rates in real time, based on behavioural patterns which these companies observe in their workers' data & based on supply & demand conditions, is a risk to the whole working class. It needs to be stopped now before it spreads further.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Uber started dynamic pay, but it is now used by many digital labour platforms. We have made 9 recommendations to governments for how to ensure platform workers have fair and transparent pay: the first and most important being to prohibit dynamic pay practices outright.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In some countries, drivers can no longer even see the fare that the customer has paid. They therefore have no way of calculating what commission Uber takes, unless they ask the customer themselves. Uber called dynamic pay 'upfront pricing', but it has left drivers in the dark.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In Belgium, Uber promised when it introduced dynamic pay that their average commission would not rise above the previous fixed rate of 25% on a monthly basis. We have gathered evidence which proves that is not what has happened: Uber's average commission has steadily risen.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In every market where dynamic pay has been rolled-out, Uber has taken a higher commission on average than pre-dynamic pay. But because commission varies from trip-to-trip, its hard for drivers to see these higher commissions. Dynamic pay has thus facilitated pay-cuts-by-stealth.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Uber rolled out dynamic pay across Europe in 2023/ 2024 across almost all markets. Dynamic pay de-links pay rates from the price paid by the customer & from the standard metrics of time & distance travelled. Uber's commission, which was previously fixed, varies from trip-to-trip.

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

First, you can access the study here: etuc.org/en/publicati... And more info in the Gig Economy Project newsletter here: thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/new-report... Piece in Le Monde about it here: lemonde.fr/economie/art...

etuc.org

100

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

112

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Inspiring to see young people occupying the centre of Madrid en masse against rentierism, after a protest of 300,000 yday. Echoes of the indignados movement of 15 years ago. The housing crisis is the no 1 problem in Spain: these protests will resonate with the public. bsky.app/profile/apne...

0105

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

"The far-right is not a project in favour of the working class, it's in favour of Uber" I discuss the upcoming French presidential elections with @leilachaibi.bsky.social, where there is a good chance far-right leader Le Pen will face off against the left's Mélenchon. What will it mean for workers?

100

Reposted by Ben Wray

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We will be joined by @leilachaibi.bsky.social for the first GEP Forum on Thursday! You can join the conversation with Leila on the future of the gig economy in France and Europe, as the deadline for transposing the EU Platform Work Directive looms. Join us here: open.substack.com/live-stream/...

open.substack.com

LIVE SOON: GEP Forum: Live with Leïla Chaibi MEP, Thursday Sept 24, 3pm CET

Starting Sep 24 at 9:00 AM EDT

022

Reposted by Ben Wray

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

New York's crackdown on DoorDash's wage theft is an inspiring example of how to hold the platforms to account. Read the full story and lots more news in the latest newsletter (link below). #Gigeconomy #Fooddelivery #wagetheft #DoorDash #NYC

112

Reposted by Ben Wray

Kieran Hurley @kieranhurley.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This fuckin rules

1175

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

112

Reposted by Ben Wray

Tim Newman @tnewmsblues.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

"Governments beyond NY should not wait for DoorDash to self-regulate. Labor inspectorates should now begin investigations, across the US & beyond, into the company. And we know platform wage theft does not stop at DoorDash" @benwray1989.bsky.social thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/what-mamda...

thegigeconomyproject.substack.com

What Mamdani’s DoorDash wage theft crackdown teaches us

[Reminder that we have the first GEP Forum tomorrow: you can join Leïla Chaibi MEP live at 3pm CET, Thursday 24 September on Substack to discuss the Platform Work Directive transposition, the gig econ...

111

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

More detail, and other news, in the latest Gig Economy Project newsletter: thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/what-mamda...

110

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

New York's DoorDash wage theft crack down is seriously impressive. Not only have they used the platform's data against them, they've punished DoorDash with a serious penalty, while creating a new worker-led compliance system for real-time accountability.

1209

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

open.substack.com

LIVE SOON: GEP Forum: Live with Leïla Chaibi MEP, Thursday Sept 24, 3pm CET

Starting Sep 24 at 9:00 AM EDT

022

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

It's clear that in major metropolises, like Berlin and New York, a socialist message can cut through. There's a question mark about whether those successes can translate outside big urban centres, but it's at least something to build from.

000

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

The Gig Economy Project has made the (inevitable) move to Substack. We have plans for live GEP forums & a wider range of content, but it needs to be funded! We're looking for 100 subscribers to step-up & donate €5 a month to make GEP sustainable ⬇️ thegigeconomyproject.substack.com/p/the-gig-ec...

thegigeconomyproject.substack.com

The Gig Economy Project has moved

Why we have moved to Substack and what changes you can expect

011

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Read about all this and more in the latest Gig Economy Project newsletter: eomail5.com/web-version?...

eomail5.com

XXXXX

GEP Newsletter

000

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Uber's massive GDPR fine for robo-firing drivers may open-up a pandora's box of compensation claims from workers who have been exploited by the company's algorithmic management system. #Uber #GigEconomy

102

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

If this is what Germany's becoming, no wonder the country is in a political crisis.

002

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Crazy that these warnings come from the people who control the proprietary technology. They may as well be saying: 'Trust us, there is a fire that has started on our land; you don't get to see it or put it out, just be aware that it threatens all of us' bsky.app/profile/70sb...

010

Ben Wray @benwray1989.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Gig workers in the US are now the most likely group of workers to receive govt benefits. In 2020, it was McDonald's and Walmart workers. The govt is topping up the poverty pay of gig workers, even though the platforms pay very little in tax because of bogus self-employment.

100