Rising oil prices and ongoing geopolitical crises continue to place significant pressure on platform workers in the Philippines, particularly ride-hailing and delivery workers who often face rising fuel costs, unstable earnings, and limited social protections. This opinion piece examines how these challenges expose deeper structural vulnerabilities within the platform economy and underscore the need for stronger protections for platform workers. 
Gig work is creating new opportunities for flexible employment in Sri Lanka, but workers continue to face challenges around income security, access to protections, bargaining power, and long-term sustainability. This article explores six key realities shaping Sri Lanka’s gig economy and highlights the need for policies and practices that ensure a fairer future for platform workers.