Platform work and piece rate

Abstract

The study aims to contribute to the understanding of platform work from the perspective of its form of remuneration. Piece rate pay may boost productivity and increase the speed and intensity of work, furthermore, it can promote a lengthening of the working day and act in the subjectivity of workers. A review of recent literature about platform work and piece rate pay presented in the first volume of Karl Marx's “Capital” was made. Some categories were constructed from the characteristics of piece rate pay identified in the literature review and a survey was applied with 87 workers on digital platforms, in 19 States in Brazil, between May and July 2021. This outcome was discussed in the light of the theory of value of Marx. The findings supported the hypothesis that platform work promotes a return of piece rate pay. These results highlighted the importance of how workers are paid in platform work to understanding the willingness to work long hours in poor working conditions in a non-regulation job. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between piece rate pay and platform work.