Gig Work and Social Protection: Policy Models and Outcomes

Saudah Namukasa

Kampala International University Uganda Science Education

Email saudah.namukasa@studwc.kiu.ac.ug

                                                                                         ABSTRACT
The rapid expansion of gig work within the global platform economy has fundamentally transformed labor markets, introducing new opportunities for flexible employment alongside significant challenges related to income instability and limited access to social protection. This study examines the conceptual foundations of gig work and analyzes diverse policy models aimed at extending social protection to gig workers, including universal basic protections, portable benefits, earnings insurance, and regulatory or revenue-based frameworks. Drawing on comparative international experiences from North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, the paper highlights how different institutional arrangements shape outcomes in terms of income security, access to benefits, and working conditions. The findings reveal that while gig work enhances labor market flexibility and innovation, it also exacerbates precarity due to earnings volatility, inadequate healthcare and pension coverage, and limited
career development opportunities. Policy responses demonstrate a persistent trade-off between maintaining flexibility and ensuring adequate protection. Evidence suggests that portable and adaptable benefit systems, combined with targeted regulatory interventions, offer promising pathways for balancing these competing priorities. However, challenges related to implementation, data availability, and cross-border coordination remain significant. The study concludes that effective social protection for gig workers requires integrated, contextsensitive approaches that prioritize inclusivity, portability, and stakeholder collaboration to ensure sustainable and equitable labor market outcomes.

Keywords: Gig Economy, Social Protection, Portable Benefits, Labor Market Flexibility and Income Volatility.

CITE AS: Saudah Namukasa (2026). Gig Work and Social Protection: Policy Models and Outcomes. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
RESEARCH IN EDUCATION, 6(1): 45-52.
https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJRE/2026/614552