Gig work is no longer a temporary or marginal form of employment. It is a core component of modern economies, and a means for individuals enjoy greater autonomy whilst still generating income. In this article, we discuss labour-related protections for people engaged in gig work, and strategies to get more work or tap into lucrative opportunities.
Gig work—short-term, task-based or project-based employment mediated through digital platforms—has become a permanent feature of modern labour markets. From ride-hailing and food delivery to freelance design, software development, consulting, content creation and online tutoring, millions of workers now rely on gig income either as a primary livelihood or a supplement to traditional employment. Further, more of us have had to consider engaging in side hustles, especially when our main sources of income are not keeping pace with inflation and the rising cost of living.
Although gig work offers flexibility and low barriers to entry, it often comes at the cost of labour protections, income stability and long-term security, which can be more pronounced in the Caribbean region. This article outlines practical labour protection recommendations for gig workers, along with strategies that can be used to secure more work and to tap into higher-value opportunities.
Work and labour protection recommendations
In the absence of a traditional human resource department, you are your own compliance officer. Two key areas in which you need to be particularly vigilant are with respect to legal and contractual matters and financial and social protections.
First, never start work based on a handshake or a text message. Ensure every project has a written contract that specifies, among other things, payment terms, penalties for scope creep, provisions in case a project gets cancelled mid-way, and how termination should be handled. The terms of the contract could be modelled based on current trends in freelancer-focused legislation worldwide. For example, such laws tend to specify that for long-term recurring contracts, clients must give at least 30 days’ notice for termination, which is a provision that you can negotiate to have included in your agreement. However, if the client is unable to prepare such an agreement or does not have access to the expertise to do so, it may be prudent for you to have a template agreement that can be tweaked and provide clarity to all parties.
A common disadvantage of being a freelancer is the absence of employment benefits, such as health and disability insurance provided by an employer. The onus is thus on the gig worker or freelancer to put those benefits in place for themselves, and depending on the country, benefits packages specific to gig workers may be available that are portable from one client to another. Ultimately, the requisite research must be done to understand the services and benefits available in your area.
Similarly, it is important to re-examine the tax bracket into which you fall as a gig worker, as increasingly governments are making provisions for sole traders and independent contractors, especially regarding retirement funding and pensions. As a solopreneur, for example, you may be allowed to make higher contributions to your retirement fund, effectively lowering your taxable income while building a safety net.
Finally, especially for high-stakes or high-value work, consider purchasing professional indemnity insurance. Although it is indeed an expense, should it become necessary, professional indemnity insurance can cover legal fees, court costs, and any compensation or damages awarded to a client, which could otherwise result in financial ruin.
Strategies to secure higher value opportunities
When pursuing gig work, it can be easy to get pigeonholed and only be considered when specific jobs arise. However, if you aspire to move up the value chain, ultimately, you need to shift how you are perceived by the market. Below are some strategies that you can employ to do so.
First, niche specialisation (also known as the “fractional” model) is all the rage. Essentially, fractional roles work by hiring senior experts or specialists part-time, thereby allowing them to work for multiple companies at the same time. Unlike freelancers who tend to be just project-based task-doers, ‘fractionals’ tend take on ongoing strategic roles with significant responsibility. Organisations benefit by having access to senior expertise without having to pay the attendant full-time salaries, benefits, and overhead. The professionals can work with different organisations, focus on high-impact tasks and strategic problem-solving and charge premium rates.
Second, spend some time and effort to optimise your visibility and employ multiple strategies. For example, consider developing your personal website or portfolio and regularly publishing articles or other collateral that would highlight your domain expertise. Also set up accounts on freelancer platforms, especially those that focus on specialist skills or services within your area of expertise. Finally, set up your game on LinkedIn by, among other things, ensuring that your profile is complete, publishing posts to increase your visibility among your network, and regularly exploring the job opportunities published on the platform.
Final thoughts
In 2025, the gig economy moved beyond simple “side hustles” into a professionalised sector. However, this flexibility often comes at the cost of traditional safety nets. To thrive, you must treat your labour as a business and your rights as a priority.
However, as the business landscape worldwide becomes more competitive with even greater emphasis on cost savings and productivity, freelancers and gig workers must also become more strategic in their approach. Ultimately, the goal should be to move from survival-based participation to sustainable, rewarding and lucrative work in today’s modern economy.
Image credit: pvproductions (Freepik)
