The promise of Silicon Valley’s gig economy can sound appealing - like freedom from a corporate schedule, opportunities to make any idea a reality... In reality, blue collar independent contractors at tech companies like Facebook and Google work long hours for low pay and struggle to make rent in an area where the average one bedroom goes for over $2,000 a month. Neha visits the Silicon Valley area to learn how gig economy workers are making ends meet in the most expensive area of the country.

We reached out to Facebook, Google and the security company Allied Universal several times for comment. Facebook was the only one who responded. Below is their statement:

Statement:
“Our vendor workers are valued members of our community. We are committed to providing a safe, fair, work environment to everyone who helps Facebook bring the world closer together, including vendor employees and contingent workers.”– Facebook Spokesperson


SOURCES & FURTHER READING

Tech’s Invisible Workforce
https://wpusa.org/files/reports/Techs...

Tech's top five now worth more than $3 trillion
http://money.cnn.com/2017/10/31/inves...

California's top court makes it more difficult for employers to classify workers as independent contractors
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la...


CREDITS
Producer: Neha Shastry
Camera: Ilie Mitaru
Editor: Michelle Pomeroy
Supervising Producer: Allison Brown

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