FACTORS INFLUENCING THE MENTAL WELL-BEING OF LOCATION-BASED GIG WORKERS IN KARACHI

Abstract

The expansion of the gig economy introduced new forms of employment that particularly benefit location-based gig workers situated in Karachi's urban areas. The flexible nature of gig work exposes workers to insecure employment due to automation systems and unpredictable working schedules that jeopardize mental well-being. This research investigates which factors affect the mental health of location-based gig workers operating in Karachi. A study utilized quantitative methodology to evaluate results from 396 workers selected through convenience sampling who delivered rides or performed deliveries. The study analyzed data using SPSS and found that algorithm-based decisions and fair treatment, along with workloads, have a significant positive impact on mental well-being, Moreover, it reveals that the combination of sophisticated task allocation programs and unclear execution algorithms caused serious mental pressure among workers, as shown by the study's analytic evidence. A few workers valued the ability to work independently on these platforms as well as the flexibility that they provided. The research establishes that immediate financial benefits from gig work coexist with substantial psychological risks because regulatory measures and mental health assistance are non-existent. Digital platforms, together with algorithmic management, have enabled a fast-growing gig economy that fundamentally changes how work exists globally.