◎刘宜庭

The UK’s gig economy is booming, with more people than ever before choosing to work for themselves. According to statistics released last year, one in seven UK workers which equates to a record-high of 4.8 million people are now enjoying the freedom of being self-employed. Research has also suggested that just 6 per cent of workers do the traditional hours of 9am to 5pm.

英国的零工经济正在蓬勃发展，选择为自己工作的人比起过往任何时期还要多。根据去年的统计，每7名英国劳工中就有1人拥抱零工经济，相当于480万人正享有自雇者的自由，创下历史新高。研究也显示，仅有6％英国劳工从事朝九晚五的传统工作。

From a Workr Group survey of 150 UK-based contractors, freelancers and temporary workers, the most popular reason for 48 per cent of respondents for adopting a more flexible lifestyle was the prospect of having more disposable income. It’ll come as no surprise to learn that for almost half of respondents （45 per cent）, the second most popular reason was an improved work-life balance. Reduced stress was also a key reason for over a third（36 per cent）of respondents.

（英国自由工作者支持机构）「劳动人团体」访谈150名英国契约工、自由工作者、临时工的一项调查显示，48％受访者选择此类更灵活的生活型态的最夯原因，是预期能拥有更多可支配收入。不让人意外地，有将近半数（45％）受访者回答的第二大理由，是改善工作与生活的平衡。减轻压力也是其中一个重要因素，超过3分之1（36％）的受访者表示。

However, there are downsides too, as 37 per cent of respondents admitted they found life as contractor more financially risky, with 40 per cent claiming they dislike the uncertainty of not knowing where their next assignment is coming from.

然而，拥抱零工经济也有缺点，37％受访者坦承，契约工面临更大的经济风险；40％受访者声称，他们不喜欢不知道下一项委托从何而来的不确定性。

新闻辞典

gig economy：名词，零工经济。例句：The global gig economy is a rapidly increasing trend and is here to stay, largely due to technological advances around the world.（全球零工经济成为历久不衰、迅速增长的趋势，主要源自全球科技进步。）

contractor：名词，契约工、承包商。例句：Using contractors is a no brainer for many businesses.（许多企业不必费神思考即可聘雇契约工。）

freelancer：名词，自由工作者。例句：As a freelancer you are often on your own.（自由工作者经常独自一人作业。）

• 印尼民众透过智慧型手机购买居家清洁服务；提供此类服务者大多为临时工、自由工作者。（彭博档案照）