Thread by @kendraschaefer

On Monday, Shanghai's trade unions submitted a proposal to China's top policy advisory body, suggesting that platform workers should be given a voice in how dispatching algorithms are deployed by internet companies. Thoughts and quotes below. 1/11
acftu.people.com.cn/n1/2022/0118/c…

The proposal specifically addresses algorithms that determine delivery schedules for gig workers — like restaurant delivery, freight drivers, couriers, and ride-hailing drivers. 2/11

Yesterday, Worker's Daily ran a follow-up on algorithms and labor rights, arguing that "a management mechanism that is only beneficial to one party and detrimental to the other cannot survive, and the same is true of algorithmic management." 3/11
media.workercn.cn/sites/paper/pa…

The problem China's labor authorities are trying to address is that there is no feedback mechanism through which workers and platforms can communicate, especially when dispatching algorithms are making decisions detrimental to human beings. 4/11

Worker's Daily: "The reality is that when most platform companies implement algorithms, they not only fail to negotiate with workers on an equal basis..., but also, when the algorithm leaves workers some breathing room, platform companies squeeze it out." 5/11

“For example, it was recently reported that a courier delivered an order by taking a route not recommended by the algorithm. As a result, he bought himself 4 minutes of extra time. In response, the platform immediately ‘optimized’ the delivery route [for future couriers].“ 6/11

"This is a typical example of a precise algorithmic calculation that keeps couriers in a constant state of high-intensity labor." 7/11

"Since [the algorithmic fairness] issue is related to the rights and obligations of both parties, it should be formulated through consultation by both parties, and it cannot be decided by one side." 8/11

The proposal suggests that unions and industry associations step into this breach, and establish platforms where negotiations on algorithmic fairness can take place between internet companies and those they employ. 9/11

Another issue is that Chinese new rules forbid the use of algorithms to violate labor laws, but regulators have no way to tell if algorithms are imposing unreasonable working conditions by simply doing a review of the app - they need feedback from the workers. 10/11

Interestingly, trade unions are shaping up to be China's chosen feedback mechanism on algorithm ethics between regulators, companies, and new economy labor. 11/11