Farmers have been paying seasonal farmhands by "piece rates" for centuries. It's quite popular for a huge number of newer industries like auto shops. The downsi

Farmers have been paying seasonal farmhands by "piece rates" for centuries. It's quite popular for a huge number of newer industries like auto shops. The downside from the perspective of tech companies is that piece rate workers still have the rights and privileges of regular workers. Circumventing those rights and obligations is the actual reason for the "independent contractor" framework.