Friday 29 June 2018
12:00pm
International Transport Workers Union,
49-60 Borough Road,
London SE1 1DR
The reality of the gig economy, with James Bloodworth – author of Hired: Six Months Undercover in low-wage Britain
Writer James Bloodworth spent six months undercover working as a warehouse assistant for Amazon in Staffordshire; a care worker in the North West of England; a call centre operative in South Wales; and an Uber driver in London.
His shocking new book, ‘Hired: six months undercover in low wage Britain’ records his experiences, exposing the poverty, squalor and exploitation experienced by thousands of low wage workers every day as they struggle to keep their heads above water. The book demolishes stereotypes and policy conventions on topics ranging from the myth of the feckless poor to the notion that trade unions have little to offer in the modern economy.
Bloodworth’s skilled writing style combined with the sheer scale of the degradation and immiseration he encounters makes ‘Hired’ a gripping read, even for readers who consider themselves familiar with poverty and precarious work in the uK economy.
At this event, the author will discuss his experiences over the course of his time under cover, and the lessons for policymakers, businesses, investors, trade unions and other stakeholders.
To RSVP, email luke.hildyard@highpaycentre.org
Reviews for ‘Hired’ by James Bloodworth
‘This is a very discomforting book, no matter what your politics might be.’ – The Sunday Times
‘…the best young leftwing writer Britain has produced in years.’ – The Observer
‘James Bloodworth is one of the best writers on politics around.’ – Spectator
‘An extraordinary and unsettling journey into the way modern Britons work. It is Down and Out In Paris and London for the gig economy age.’ – Matthew D’Ancona, Guardian columnist and bestselling author of Post-Truth
‘A tautly written expose of the swindle of the gig economy and a call to arms.’ – Nick Cohen, Observer journalist and author of What’s Left?