16 November 2026: Discussion/Lecture : Flexible, precarious, invisible: Working in the platform economy

International students are often seen as highly skilled migrants of the future. Yet many are already forced to work under precarious conditions during their studies to make a living.

Dr. Amrita Datta’s study examines the working and living conditions of Indian students in Germany. It explores how studying, migration and platform work intersect, and the role played by residence status, visa regulations and economic pressure. For many migrant workers, the supposed flexibility of the platform economy means insecure incomes and a lack of social protection.

Following the presentation of the study, we will discuss: Who bears the risks of the platform economy? What responsibility do platform companies and the state have? How can labour rights and social protection be improved? And what political changes are needed to prevent international students from being caught between studying, immigration law and economic survival?

With:

• Dr. Amrita Datta, researcher at Bielefeld University and author of the study
• Katina Schubert (Member of the Berlin House of Representatives), parliamentary group’s spokesperson on migration policy
• Mo, works council member at Lieferando and member of the Lieferando Workers Collective (LWC) Berlin Indian student platform worker
  
  Moderation: Ceren Türkmen, Institute Solidarische Moderne
  
  The event will be held in German and English, with simultaneous German-English interpretation. Admission free.