Fairwork Georgia Ratings 2023: Old Challenges and New Forms of Work in the Neoliberal Paradise

The Fairwork Team in Georgia has embarked on the task of assessing various digital labor platforms for the first time in the country. The prevalence of platform work has significantly increased, particularly in urban areas, providing a source of income for many individuals. However, the results of our inaugural report shed light on several areas where substantial improvements are needed to enhance the working conditions and welfare of platform workers in Georgia.

This report assesses six of Georgia’s digital labor platforms spanning various sectors against five principles of fairness—fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation—giving each a fairness rating out of ten. Our findings reveal that a majority of platform workers continue to grapple with unjust working conditions and a lack of essential social protections. Notably, one critical issue is the classification of these workers, as they are not recognized as traditional employees. Consequently, they are deprived of fundamental employment guarantees, including severance pay, paid vacations, and basic job protections against unfair termination.