What is the remote gig economy?

Often you hear artists describe their performances as taking on a “gig” at a venue. A gig however, does not always describe a musical performance. Instead it is simply a one time job put out by a client fo

r anyone to take up. The gig economy therefore encompasses the work done by freelancers and all independent contractors in the workforce. Though the term itself is new, freelance work has been a vital part of our economy for generations now. The necessity for temporary work to be completed for employers cannot be fulfilled by traditional office employees. Placing ourselves in the shoes of the employer shows us that hiring permanent workers for “one-off” jobs is not a viable business strategy. These permanent workers come with the added hassle of requiring company benefits and in the end would not be a cost effective decision. So what is the solution? These employers simply put out contracts that capable independent workers can take up to fulfill this need. This way they don’t have to deal with the added costs of employing a permanent worker. This business model is a direct result of a capitalist economy prioritizing efficiency. This method provides an elegant solution to both the creative employer and the shrewd freelancer. The employer can get away with reducing the overhead costs in his company while the freelancer can have the freedom to take up multiple jobs from various sources. Examples of such work span several different categories and have evolved over the years. More traditional options like labor gigs have been around for ages and yet they have only been categorized as gig work recently. On the other hand, more modern options like providing video editing services online have only become popular recently. These workers often flip the script and offer their skills online to potential clients instead of looking for jobs offered by employers. The increasingly globalized world of today also then shows us the origin of the remote gig economy.

The remote gig economy is simply an extension of the gig economy itself, spanning over national borders to become a global phenomenon. With the rapid advancement of technology, employers have realized that they no longer need to be restricted to hiring local workers. Talent from all over the world is available to companies looking to hire gig workers. Often, gig work is outsourced to countries with cheaper labor. In countries such as the Philippines where living costs are not as high as the west, workers can be employed for lower wages with no drawbacks to either party. This is why we see outsourcing of various job markets which can clearly be seen when you look at call centers based all around the world. The remote gig economy is growing today like never before as many countries get increasingly more industrialized and gain access to the internet’s many resources. You too can tap into this emerging industry and find your perfect niche to thrive in. Taking advantage of this new wave of opportunity can lead to you ultimate success.