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Article published In: The Journal of Internationalization and Localization
Vol. 8:1 (2021) ► pp.48–75

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Uberization of translation

Impacts on working conditions

 | University of Surrey


This article is available free of charge.

Published online: 13 September 2021
DOI logo with link
https://doi.org/10.1075/jial.20006.fir
Abstract
Digital labour platforms, encompassing on-demand translation work via apps and websites, have grown exponentially in recent years and have significant consequences for translation workers. This study explores the critical literature on digital labour platforms from a labour studies perspective and submits the findings of a quantitative survey of 70 translation workers residing in Turkey and working on/for digital labour platforms. Our research suggests that the introduction of digital labour platforms into translation production and business networks has not yet provided a significant contribution to the working conditions of translation workers in Turkey. Instead, we argue that their working conditions have been rearranged and reorganized in accordance with the uberization of (translation) work. According to the survey findings, engaging in such work on/for digital labour platforms exposes translation workers to risks related to employment status, income level, work-life balance, social protections, free agency, bargaining power, dependence on the platform, allocation of risks and rewards, and data collection, protection and privacy.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Uberization of work
  • 3.Uberization of (translation) work in the language industry
  • 4.Survey methodology
  • 5.Analysis of survey results and discussion
    • 5.1Professional profiles of the survey participants
    • 5.2Reasons for working on/for digital labour platforms
    • 5.3The level of income and satisfaction with the income
    • 5.4Working hours and work-life balance
    • 5.5Removal of free agency and intermediation
    • 5.6Reduced bargaining power and rights
    • 5.7Increasing dependence of translation workers on the platform
    • 5.8Allocation of rewards and risks across the ecosystem
    • 5.9Data collection, protection and privacy
  • 6.Limitation of the study
  • 7.Conclusions
  • 8.Considerations for the future
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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