The gig economy is wobbling. Companies have long relied on contractors and temporary workers to cut their costs: it minimises their spending on benefits and payments into government safety nets. But judges and regulators in France, the UK and New Jersey have rejected claims that such workers are really “self-employed” and California last year passed a groundbreaking law to provide them with more protection.

Now the coronavirus outbreak has moved the issue to the top of the agenda — and not in a good way. A national quarantine in Italy and requests for employees to work at home elsewhere have highlighted the plight of those who cannot do so. Customers

worry that ride-hailing drivers, food delivery workers and IT support staff who lack paid sick leave will inadvertently spread the disease. Companies say their co-workers are raising concerns.