What is gig economy and who is a gigger?

Gig economy is a relatively new term that has emerged during the last decade. Since the word was included on the list of new words in 2016, it has been used extensively in different contexts. Some associate the gig economy primarily with short-term, low-paid job assignments that are mediated via digital job sites or apps. These jobs have been criticized for risking that a new kind of underclass is being created, especially since the work force lacks access to the society’s safety net. But the gig economy also involves freelancers, senior interim consultants or digital nomads who work remotely with from different places in the world. In simple words, the gig economy is based on a labor market for temporary work assignments instead of permanent employment. The word gig originally comes from the music industry, where musicians have been paid for so-called gigs.