Gig economy risks Latin American virtual brain drain

Subject

The gig economy.

Significance

An increasing number of people across Latin America are earning a living in the gig economy. This raises questions about the implications for labour markets in the region, and well as broader socio-economic impacts.

Impacts

• The attractiveness of the gig economy will depend substantially on the strength of local currencies.
• Governments may choose not to be pro-active in collecting taxes from gig-economy workers.
• A rise in the gig economy will divert skilled workers away from local labour markets, though it could increase their purchasing power.