Gig Economy Delivery Riders

The question

How to approach this discuss both views question

A discuss-both-views essay asks you to explain two opinions fairly and then give your own.

1. Introduce both views and say you will discuss them.
2. Paragraph 1: the first view with reasons and an example.
3. Paragraph 2: the second view with reasons and an example.
4. State your own opinion clearly (in the introduction or conclusion) and keep it consistent.

How to plan this answer

Structure

1. Introduction: paraphrase app-based delivery work and state your opinion that the flexibility is real but riders need basic protections.
2. Body 1: the flexible view, covering the freedom to choose hours, fit work around study or caring, and earn well in busy periods.
3. Body 2: the concerns view, covering the lack of paid holidays, sick pay, pension contributions and the uncertainty of earnings per job.
4. Body 3: evaluate by explaining that flexibility and protection are not opposites, and suggesting minimum pay for time spent working and basic sick pay.
5. Conclusion: restate your opinion and explain why a middle path would keep the benefits of flexible work while reducing the risk for riders.

Idea bank

• A student who works evenings around lectures and values being able to stop when an exam approaches.
• A rider who waits between orders for twenty minutes and is not paid for that time, which shows how per-job pay can disguise the true hourly rate.
• A father who cannot take time off when he is ill, because he has no sick pay and must still pay rent.
• Court decisions in some countries have classed platform drivers as workers, which supports the case for basic rights.
• Counter-argument: many riders say they value being their own boss and would lose income if the work became fixed-hour employment.

Useful vocabulary

• on-demand work: On-demand work offers flexibility but little certainty of income.
• to be classed as self-employed: Many riders are classed as self-employed, which means no paid holidays.
• to be paid per task: Being paid per task can leave riders with unpredictable weekly earnings.
• unpaid waiting time: Unpaid waiting time between jobs reduces the effective hourly wage.
• a safety net: Sick pay is an important safety net for workers who fall ill.
• to be deactivated: Some riders are deactivated from an app after a low rating, with little explanation.
• to offer flexibility: The platform offers flexibility, but it shifts risk onto the rider.
• to shoulder the risk: The rider shoulders the risk of a quiet week or a bicycle breakdown.
• to be left without: Riders can be left without income if they are injured on the job.
• portable benefits: Portable benefits would let riders keep pension contributions when they change platform.

Common mistakes

• Discussing taxis or other gig jobs instead of delivery riders, which moves away from the question.
• Giving the flexible view much more space than the concerns view, which breaks the instruction for equal depth.
• Listing points without explaining why each matters to a rider, which the task specifically asks for.
• Using 'self-employed' and 'employee' interchangeably, which confuses the legal and practical differences.

Examiner tip: Open each body paragraph with a sentence that names the view it represents, such as 'Supporters argue that...', so the examiner can see the two sides are balanced.