Towards Inclusive Governance of the Gig Economy: Policy Challenges and Opportunities for Workers’ Quality of Life- A Systematic Literature Review
Keywords:
gig economy inclusive governance policy quality of life workers' welfareAbstract
The gig economy has emerged as a crucial element of contemporary labor markets by providing workers with flexibility. In Indonesia, the swift expansion of digital platforms has generated numerous opportunities for millions of individuals; however, it has also raised significant concerns regarding social protection, regulation, and quality of life. In 2024, The Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) indicated around 83.8 million, of Indonesian workers were engaged in informal employment, including gig work. This figure underscores the pressing need for the development of effective governance and policy frameworks addressing non-standard labor. This study aims to conduct a thorough review of the literature concerning governance within the gig economy, critically analyzing the associated policy challenges and opportunities related to workers’ welfare in Indonesia. Utilizing the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method, the authors gathered relevant publications from Scopus and Google Scholar spanning from 2015 to 2025 and performed bibliometric mapping with VOSviewer. Findings reveal that the governance of the gig economy in Indonesia is largely fragmented, primarily driven by market demands rather than coherent regulatory frameworks. Current policies prioritize digital innovation and economic growth but fall short in providing adequate worker protections. Key challenges include ambiguous employment classifications, insufficient enforcement of labor laws, limited social protection provisions, and imbalanced power dynamics between platforms and workers. Nonetheless, there are notable opportunities for enhancing labor market inclusivity, supporting entrepreneurship, and bolstering urban economic resilience. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers aiming to create inclusive frameworks that reconcile flexibility with sustainable living conditions.
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