Struggle for recognition in the Just Eat logistics “Scoober” contract in Italy

This article intends to contribute to the debate on the application of Axel Honneth’s theory of recognition to the gig economy. Honneth posits that labor is a vehicle for social recognition, conveying social esteem and respect. A failure in this recognition process leads to what he defnes as “misrecognition.” The literature has shown forms of misrecognition among platform riders, largely attributable to the freelance nature of their contracts, which mask an underlying fctitious autonomy. In order to evaluate the persistence of misrecognition phenomena, even in absence of freelance contracts, the case of the “Scoober” contract in Italy through which workers are considered employees, is analyzed. This case study tests the statement that misrecognition phenomena are dependent from the condition of fctitious autonomy of workers. The fndings suggest that misrecognition persists even in this context, as the ideals of fexibility and the “gig” work ethos continue to infuence work activities. This infuence manifests itself in a form that, while not entirely identical, reproduces misrecognition phenomena and contributes to the creation of an impoverished working environment.