29
May
Exploitation in Silicon Valley: Tech start-ups abuse independent contractors
With transportation start-up Uber enjoying a valuation increase from $18 billion to over $41 billion in a matter of months—jumping as much as $15 billion in a single week—the “digital middleman” labor model is on the rise. Like many recently successful start-ups, the company operates by providing a platform for independent contractors in place of hiring employees, a system that appeals to people seeking to earn money outside of traditional long-term, hourly employment. However, recent class-action suits have proven that