The Workers' Observatory

Delivery riders at mercy of algorithms and immigration raids Migrants denied right to work turn to exploitative delivery apps to earn cash, but the government is cracking down

Starmer’s xenophobic immigration enforcement is now no longer about “smash the gangs” it is about targeting the gig economy of delivery workers. A new precarious underclass being exploited by capitalism is being made even more precarious…

Call for Papers WES accepting full papers on the relationship between earning and learning, redressing the invisibility and marginalisation of student workers. Deadline for submission 27 February 2026. Full CFP below. https://www.britsoc.co.uk/media/26914/wes_si_earning_while_learning_dl270226.pdf

Call for Papers

WES accepting full papers on the relationship between earning and learning, redressing the invisibility and marginalisation of student workers.

Deadline for submission 27 February 2026. Full CFP below.
www.britsoc.co.uk/media/26914/...

More than 1 million living in poverty. Scotland Demands Better

Death rates in deprived communities highest for 20 years. Scotland Demands Better.

861,000 households in fuel poverty.

15,000 children without a home.

Change or the better happens when people stand together and demand it! Join thousands of others in October to say #ScotlandDemandsBetter
www.scotland-demands-better.com

The @workersobservatory.org has made it to the Spurtle:

Why Keir Starmer won't win his new war against food delivery cyclists The UK Government seems to be cooking up a nasty new slogan: stop the bikes.

"Sudden suspension or expulsion of account-holders from platforms they depend on for their income is like the wild west hire-and-fire of old, with one difference: It is automated."

www.thenational.scot/politics/25336972.keir-starmer-wont-win-deliveroo-riders/

from @caileangallagher.bsky.social

Hybrid workshop where you can hear from Lucy Suchman, HCI legend and organizer with Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, the amazing Joan Greenbaum with Computer People for Peace, and other awesome organizers from #notechforapartheid and other tech-ademia organizing efforts

Workers Observatory — We See The City The Workers’ Observatory is an Edinburgh-based project run by workers to monitor new forms of work in the city and develop tools and tactics to take advantage of them

You can now follow The Workers Observatory on Bluesky:
bsky.app/profile/work...

And see more here:
workersobservatory.org

Come along on Sept 1st if you're in Edinburgh:

cc @workersobservatory.org

Nursing on Demand: The Gig Economy Comes for Health Care New Uber-style firms like CareRev and Clipboard Health use algorithmic scheduling, staffing, and management technologies to match understaffed medical facilities with nearby nurses and nursing…

lpeproject.org/blog/nursing...

New Research Exposes Deepening Exploitation of Uber Drivers by Algorithmic Pay New Research Exposes Deepening Exploitation of Uber Drivers by Algorithmic Pay

New - Oxford University research in partnership with @Workerinfox exposes deepening exploitation of Uber drivers by algorithmic pay
www.workerinfoexchange.org/post/new-res...

UK Prime Minister ad suggesting that on-demand delivery riders are working illegally. Image of a rider in black shade with text: Delivered by who?

In a country that already has experienced a concerted summer of riots, this language and imagery is just deeply irresponsible. Many people ride for these companies every day and they deserve to get home safely and without harassment or fear.

cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thu...

Why Keir Starmer won't win his new war against food delivery cyclists The UK Government seems to be cooking up a nasty new slogan: stop the bikes.

"Why Keir Starmer won't win his new war against food delivery cyclists" - a piece by Cailean Gallagher from @workersobservatory.org

www.thenational.scot/politics/253...

Workers Observatory — We See The City The Workers’ Observatory is an Edinburgh-based project run by workers to monitor new forms of work in the city and develop tools and tactics to take advantage of them

Edinburgh On-Demand Riders Bring Campaign to Council Chambers:

workersobservatory.org/riders-bring...

Join our upcoming webinar series with the Public Voices in AI project about how public voices can be put front and centre in artificial intelligence research, development and policy.

Book a place: digitalgood.net/pvai-seminar...

Learn more about the project: digitalgood.net/dg-research/...

Congrats!

How the UK’s immigration system splits families apart – by design Barriers to migrants’ family life are embedded in the UK’s immigration system.

'Til the Home Office do us part: new piece by @nandosigona.bsky.social drawing on the @iclaimeu.bsky.social study on the working and living conditions of migrant workers in food delivery and domestic work in the UK
theconversation.com/how-the-uks-...

"While the Government is happy to turn a blind eye when it comes to working conditions, it now sees the gig economy as a honey pot from which to smear the press with another xenophobic spread.", writes @caileangallagher.bsky.social

Why Keir Starmer won't win his new war against food delivery cyclists The UK Government seems to be cooking up a nasty new slogan: stop the bikes.

"Why Keir Starmer won't win his new war against food delivery cyclists" - a piece by Cailean Gallagher from @workersobservatory.org

www.thenational.scot/politics/253...

‘Account for rent’: UK seeks to curb illegal work in food delivery sector Increased data sharing between government and companies follows concerns checks are being flouted

Exactly:

"in the UK, however, is that the practice of riders renting out accounts to substitutes... is an important part of the companies’ business model... and has enabled the company to fend off legal challenges to its claim that its couriers are self-employed."

www.ft.com/content/e9f1...

Looking forward to publication of this book on countering digital capitalism, which includes an interview with me on the @workersobservatory.bsky.social and research on Digital Worker Inquiry with @karengregory.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Workers Observatory — We See The City The Workers’ Observatory is an Edinburgh-based project run by workers to monitor new forms of work in the city and develop tools and tactics to take advantage of them

"The City of Edinburgh Council has agreed to look into the working conditions of delivery riders in Edinburgh after a motion passed on 20 March 2025, following contributions by the Workers’ Observatory."

workersobservatory.org/edinburgh-co...

Public Voices in AI webinar series 5 June at 12:30 Community perspectives Workers' Observatory, The People Speak, Connected by Data 10 June at 16:00 What experts think and what evidence says Jack Stilgoe, Cian O'Donovan, Susan Oman 12 June at 13:00 Lessons from deliberative inquiry, a framework & self-assessment toolkit Reema Patel, Ellie O'Keefe 26 June at 12:00 Diversity & inequality in public attitudes to Al: findings from a national survey Octavia Field Reid, Helen Margetts, Roshni Modhvadia, Tvesha Sippy

As part of @digitalgoodnet.bsky.social's upcoming webinar series, our
@timdavies.org.uk will be speaking with members of the PVAI People's Advisory Panel on community perspectives of public voices front and centre in AI research, development and policy.
Book: digitalgood.net/pvai-semina...

Public voices in AI webinar - community perspectives Public voices in AI webinar - community perspectives

It's been great to see Edinburgh's Workers Observatory grow by leaps and bounds with @digitalgoodnet.bsky.social funding:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/public-voi...

Tax Advice for Riders; Thursday 6 March 2-4pm Quaker Meeting Rooms

Today at the Workers Observatory in Edinburgh:

Great to see the Workers Observatory invited into discussions with Edinburgh City Council, linking cycling safety in the city to fair work for delivery riders.

"What we truly need are intellectual infrastructures and economies of knowledge production that operate simultaneously in and beyond the universities."

Which is why we established The Workers Observatory in Edinburgh: workersobservatory.org We need new spaces of inquiry.

Workers Observatory — We See The City The Workers’ Observatory is an Edinburgh-based project run by workers to monitor new forms of work in the city and develop tools and tactics to take advantage of them

You can now follow The Workers Observatory on Bluesky:
@workersobservatory.bsky.social

And see more here:
workersobservatory.org