Chapter 2 - ‘Freedom of Platforms’: Conflict, Bodies and Emotions in the Work of Riders (Argentina)

Summary

Introduction

In our endeavour to comprehend the intricacies associated with living and working in 4.0 societies (Scribano and Lisdero 2019), this chapter delves into ethnographic research. Harnessing the potent reflexive tool of the visual (Harper 2002), an image from our field diary serves to orient readers within the challenging context that we aim to explore here:

Platform workers are among those exempted from the (COVID19) lock down. If we don't go out on the streets to work, we don't earn a penny and for most of us this is the only source of income. (Twitter AppSindical 2020)

The image, along with its accompanying message on the social network Twitter, evokes a distinct context – a framework of situated social practices – that compels us to scrutinise various dimensions closely.

Firstly, the image underscores social conflict. This is articulated through an action undertaken by a collective of riders, who decry the precariousness of living and working conditions following the decree in Argentina imposing lockdown measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This social media action serves as an opportunity to direct our gaze towards social practices that may have eluded our attention. In this sense, the visibility of the conflict enables us to observe underlying social processes in a unique manner.

The second crucial aspect pertains to the recent transformation within the realm of labour. The image underscores the undeniable reliance of our cities on human labour to sustain their current functionality. Contrary to theories proclaiming the ‘end of work’ or diminishing the body's role as the foundation of productive processes in new technologies, the image eloquently portrays that work maintains a central position in our societies. Particularly in societies like ours, situated in the Global South, a significant portion of those engaged in labour do so under conditions that starkly contrast with the traditional image of the salaried worker. Furthermore, it draws attention to the latest developments in the ‘world of work’, especially those stemming from the integration of digital mediums. In essence, the designation of riders’ activity as ‘essential’ in Argentina – a label enabling mobility amidst isolation – vividly illustrates the centrality of the body and its vital energies in comprehending the production processes of social life and the transformations within 4.0 societies.