The Gig Economy and the Future of Work: Global Trends and Policy Directions for Non-Standard Forms of Employment

The global rise of non-standard forms of employment (NSE) and gig work creates opportunities and challenges for the labor market and requires public policy responses to realize their benefits and mitigate their adverse effects. Evidence on the NSE impact on firms and workers reaffirms the need for a policy environment that balances the benefits and challenges of NSE to maximize its positive effects. Public policy should aim to harmonize rules for standard and non-standard employment, update social protection systems, and support lifelong learning to ensure workers are able to manage transitions and better navigate a constantly changing world of work.