Impacts of extreme weather events on digital platform workers

94% of the Filipino platform workers reported experiencing impacts of extreme weather events. The main events concerning a majority of the workers were typhoons, floods and excess rains. Notably, half of the sample also reported being impacted by increasing heat.
89% workers across sectors reported adversities on their working conditions due to these weather events. For food delivery sector, this number rose to 97%.
51% of workers reported impacts at a household level. More than 66% of workers reported receiving external support that helped them cope with extreme weather events, with this figure rising to 99% in the ridesharing sector. Overall, 36% of platform workers mentioned receiving emergency relief from the government.

Extreme weather events experienced by digital platform workers

How many digital platform workers are impacted by extreme weather events?

All sectors

Food delivery

Ridesharing

Home services

What extreme weather events are digital platform workers experiencing?

85%

Floods

79%

Excess Rains

79%

Cyclones/typhoons

47%

Increasing heat

16%

Heatwaves

Not impacted by
extreme weather events

64% Excess Rain

26% Heatwaves

34% Not impacted by extreme weather events

33% Increasing heat

14% Increasing cold

4% Cold waves

54% Excess Rain

41% Not impacted by extreme weather events

32% Heatwaves

25% Increasing heat

16% Increasing cold

13% Cold waves

3% Air pollution

2% Floods

54% Excess Rain

41% Not impacted by extreme weather events

32% Heatwaves

25% Increasing heat

16% Increasing cold

13% Cold waves

3% Air pollution

2% Floods

The following sections represent experiences of those workers who reported being impacted by one or more extreme weather events.

What work impacts are digital platform workers facing due to extreme weather events?

Workers most commonly reported direct wage loss impacts due to a range of issues, including low order volume (38%), not being able to step out (29%) and platform operational issues (24%).

“

During typhoons you cannot work and drive because of the weather conditions, so it is either no income or less income since there are no passengers at all.”

- Alex, ridesharing worker

What household impacts are digital platform workers facing as a result of extreme weather events?

19% of workers experienced reduced ability to buy food and 11% noted health related issues as a result of extreme weather events.

“

As for the heat and heatwaves, they can really make you dizzy, so you need to bring water to stay safe and avoid getting dizzy on the road and to prevent accidents.”

- Timo, ridesharing worker

What external support is available to digital platform workers during/after extreme weather events?

41% of platform workers reported receiving assistance during extreme weather events, with emergency relief from the government being the most common form of support.

“

We receive government assistance in the form of relief goods after a typhoon/ flooding/ heavy rain in the area. Relief goods are distributed immediately after the flooding in our area.”

- Rita, home service worker

*Types of assistance received includes emergency relief from the government, emergency relief from NGOs, compensation from platform, incentives from platform, healthcare support.

How are digital platform workers coping with the impacts of extreme weather events?

50% of Filipino workers described using savings to cope with extreme climate events.

“

If there's a typhoon and I can't work, I need to eat, so I use the money I've saved.”

- Doni, Ridesharing worker