JULY 24, 2025— Despite the heavy rains and widespread class and work suspensions brought by two typhoons within the country, over 60 participants from various parts of the Philippines joined virtually for the timely and relevant webinar, “Gig Cities: How Platform Work Transforms Urban Mobility and Development.” The event was organized by the UP School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) through the Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness (CIPC), in partnership with Fairwork Philippines and the Social Development Research Center (SDRC) of De La Salle University-Manila.
Before the session began, Dr. Tobias Kuttler was welcomed at the University of the Philippines Diliman on his first visit to the Philippines. He was given a short tour of the campus and the UP SOLAIR, accompanied by Dr. Virgel Binghay (CIPC Director), Mr. Arman Mangilinan (CIPC researcher), and Ms. Marge L. Medina (Fairwork Philippines researcher). The visit provided Dr. Kuttler with valuable context and a first-hand look at the university community he would be engaging with.
The formal webinar was hosted by Arman and opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Binghay, who emphasized the importance of engaging with pressing labor and urban transformation issues. Marge introduced the featured speaker and later facilitated the open forum session. Dr. Cheryll Ruth R. Soriano, Principal Investigator of Fairwork Philippines, awarded the certificate of appreciation to Dr. Kuttler and wrapped up the program with her closing remarks.
Key Takeaways from Dr. Kuttler’s Presentation
Dr. Tobias Kuttler, drawing from his research at the Fairwork Secretariat – WZB Berlin Social Science Center, presented a rich and comprehensive discussion on how platform work is transforming urban mobility and development. His presentation was structured around four main themes:
- Platformization and the Changing Nature of Urban Life
Dr. Kuttler opened by illustrating how digital platforms have reshaped how people live and move in cities, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. The rise of ride-hailing and delivery apps addresses demands for flexible and convenient transportation among the growing urban middle class. However, he cautioned that these services often remain inaccessible to low-income populations, reinforcing mobility inequality and contributing to patterns of urban sprawl. He highlighted how platforms promote benefits such as reduced emissions and congestion, but with limited impact across the full urban spectrum.
- Fragmentation of Urban Labor and the Risks of Platform Work
The talk moved to explore how platform work transforms labor relations, particularly in the transport sector. Dr. Kuttler noted how workers are increasingly isolated, with diminished collective representation. He described the phenomenon of “black box” labor, where drivers are subject to algorithmic control without transparency, facing unpredictable income, physical and mental health risks, and high operational costs without the protection of traditional labor rights or formal union support. The talk emphasized how platforms externalize risk onto workers while profiting from their labor.
- Regulatory Gaps and Urban Governance Challenges
A central focus of the webinar was how platform companies often circumvent urban regulation, exploiting legal loopholes while utilizing public infrastructure and privatizing data. Cities, Dr. Kuttler argued, are not yet institutionally equipped to fully protect platform workers or regulate their services effectively. He introduced the idea of “contentious compliance,” where platforms appear to cooperate with regulation only to later lobby for deregulation or exploit fragmented governance structures.
- Toward Worker-Centric and Inclusive Alternatives
Concluding on a hopeful note, Dr. Kuttler shared examples of resilience, community-based solidarity, and emerging cooperative models. Drawing on cases from Mumbai and European cities, he showed how platform workers continue to build socially embedded networks to support one another, despite structural constraints. He advocated for platform cooperatives, worker-owned, democratically governed digital platforms, as a promising path forward. These models, he emphasized, could foster fairer labor conditions, greater transparency, and more inclusive urban development.
Participant Feedback
The webinar was met with enthusiastic feedback from attendees, reflecting its relevance, organization, and the quality of discussion it delivered. A total of 51 participants completed the post-event evaluation, and the results speak to the program’s success.
On a 5-point scale, the event received high satisfaction ratings across all key areas:
- Program Design scored an impressive 4.65, indicating that the flow, structure, and objectives of the session resonated well with the audience.
- Dr. Tobias Kuttler, as the resource speaker, received a commendable 4.72, highlighting his expertise, clarity, and engaging delivery.
- Learning aids, technical support, and event facilitation earned the highest score of 4.78, reflecting the seamless coordination and overall experience of the webinar.
Participants were generous in their praise. Many expressed appreciation for Dr. Kuttler’s depth of knowledge and his ability to explain complex concepts within a short period of time. “Thanks to Dr. Tobias for sharing his knowledge about the topic,” one participant noted, while another commented, “Dr. Tobias elaborately discussed the topic in such a short period. Kudos!”
His presentation style was also commended, with feedback such as: “The resource person presented the material clearly and concisely. Their expertise on the subject was evident, and they effectively answered participant questions.”
Participants also took time to recognize the efforts of the organizing team. One wrote, “Congratulations to the facilitators for a well-organized program despite the challenges brought by the weather,” while another shared, “Kudos to the facilitators and speaker for making this webinar happen!”
The positive energy extended to partner institutions as well, with comments like: “Thank you very much, UP SOLAIR! Looking forward to more webinars soon,” and “Good job to the organizers, UP SOLAIR, CIPC, DLSU, and Fairwork Philippines!” Others emphasized the value of the discussion, expressing eagerness for similar initiatives: “Looking forward to more policy-related webinars like this.”
This strong feedback reflects not only the significance of the topic but also the collaborative effort behind delivering a timely and impactful learning session.
This webinar also served as part of CIPC’s continuing Pahinungód for the nation, an initiative to share research and policy discussions that inform public understanding and empower communities.
In addition to his webinar presentation and campus visit, Dr. Kuttler was also invited for an interview on DZUP Balita, the official university radio station of UP Diliman. The interview, published on July 29, 2025, offered another platform to share his insights on platform labor, mobility, and urban development with a broader academic and public audience.
The full interview can be accessed via DZUP’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ccn4GfTNg/
