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I think I'm not surprised, and I share the sentiment, largely for 2 reasons: (A) I see Uber as significantly less "exploitive" than most or all other work relat
by mchusma 4y ago
I think I'm not surprised, and I share the sentiment, largely for 2 reasons: (A) I see Uber as significantly less "exploitive" than most or all other work relationships, and I think the term is quite frankly confusing, and (B) I think overall that if laws are bad/unjust it is good to defy them.
Re: (A) If you really zoom out to the history of labor, it is a huge stretch to say Uber drivers are "exploited". They have almost perfect clarity on what they are being paid to do, they do it and it matches VERY closely the expectations, and they get paid in a timely fashion on the agreed-upon timeline. They have no lock-in, and can quit on a moment's notice. There are so many drivers globally who use Uber and vote with their labor. Frankly, it's generally very easy work too, compared to almost every other job (I'm sure it has its moments).
If I were to try and make the Steelman argument for why workers are "exploited", I can come up with basically 2 things:
1) Workers are incapable of deciding what is the right work for their situation.
2) No worker should earn below $x for any reason, and it is better that they be unemployed.
In my experience, I have found that people are very savvy about money when it comes to earnings. Where people have issues is long term planning, but short-term, I have found people are very good at "this hack makes my job easier/make me earn more". So I don't buy either of these arguments, I believe it is generally a pessimistic and paternalistic view of workers.
I don't believe using the term "exploited" is generally helpful here, as it is an emotional term and not specific enough to address. If you were to break it down, we could have a real discussion.
Re: (B) You can't really look at the laws for moral guidance, There are many bad laws out there, that many many people disregard (e.g. the average US commits 3 felonies a day https://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/1594032556/ https://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp...). It is totally possible in many cases to break laws justly and comply with laws unjustly. You can look at the "illegal" actions of Rosa Parks and Gandhi for extreme examples of just lawbreaking. There are laws that are absurd, for example in New York during COVID, it was both illegal to wear a mask and illegal to not wear a mask. But there are many other smaller examples in people's lives where they think breaking the law is the right moral thing. And the reason most people support Uber's "law breaking" is that it was NET better for everyone than the old system, both drivers AND passengers. This passes a moral "smell test" for me. If one action is illegal, and the other legal, but everyone is better off doing the illegal thing, then the law is the problem. The legalization of Marijuana is another example of trying to reconcile this type of thing. Everyone is better off if it is just legal.
- mike00632 4y agoYou forgot that Uber workers don't receive the minimum benefits and wages required by law because Uber classifies its employees as "independent contractors". You also forgot that Uber doesn't make clear the costs of insurance, maintenance, depreciation and liability (other to say that it's not on them) which is coincidentally are the most confusing and difficult accounting considerations. Uber is clearly exploiting the lack of business acumen in their drivers. Uber would hire children if it were legal for the exact same reasons people hired children in the past and the same reasons Uber currently hires people. Their drivers lack awareness and oversight from social and government organizations.