### 📈 Sri Lanka’s Gig Economy: High Risks & Algorithmic Pressure

A new report highlights the growing precarity of app-based transport and delivery sectors in Sri Lanka, as workers increasingly rely on platforms for full-time income amidst escalating climate and economic shocks. • Workload & Employment Status • 93% of app-based drivers work over 11 hours daily; 33% exceed 16 hours. • Transition from "gig" to de facto full-time employment (2021-25 data). • Workers are classified as independent contractors, bypassing formal labor protections. • Impact of Polycrisis • Economic: 2022-23 crisis led to fuel shortages and increased platform commissions. • Climate: Extreme heat (>27°C) and events like Cyclone Ditwah (Nov 2025) pose severe safety risks. • Algorithm: Opaque systems nudge workers to stay active during hazardous conditions via surge pricing and targets (e.g., Rs. 10,000 for 145 orders in 4 days). • Social Safety Nets & Representation • Limited insurance coverage often fluctuates based on productivity ratings. • Only 11% of ride-hailing and 19% of delivery riders report platform recognition of their associations. • High barriers to collective bargaining as "employers" remain legally undefined. • Policy Recommendations • Integration of gig work into national labor statistics and occupational health regulations. • Implementation of urban infrastructure like water stations and rest areas for outdoor workers. • Demand for algorithmic transparency to ensure fair income and safety guidelines.