Gökhan Firat

This PhD thesis investigates the labour conditions of translators working within platform capitalist and cooperative business models, assessed against the universal standards of decent and fair work as defined by the International Labour Organisation and Fairwork. Using a mixed-methods approach, with 454 questionnaires and 10 interviews with translators worldwide, the study examines how these models impact translators’ work conditions in the era of cognitive capitalism. Key findings suggest that while platforms promote global reach, flexibility and operational efficiency, they fail to meet decent and fair work conditions. Freelance translators on platform capitalist models often encounter exploitative and unsustainable conditions, characterised by inadequate earnings, unproductive work, excessive hours and limited access to social protections. Financial instability, health issues and work-related stress are common, worsened by peer competition and algorithmic management that suppresses earnings and bargaining power. Additionally, translators on platforms have limited involvement in democratic decision-making, leading to disenfranchisement and authoritarian management. Gender and regional disparities persist, with women and translators in the Global South facing greater challenges. In contrast, translation cooperatives, founded on collective ownership and democratic governance, offer more stable and equitable conditions that align with decent and fair work principles. Cooperative translators benefit from better earnings, meaningful work, job security and a healthier work-life balance, supported by fair management and a strong sense of solidarity. Nonetheless, cooperatives face challenges, including gender disparities, financial instability, competition with large corporations and difficulties scaling due to their local structures and ethical commitments. The study concludes by proposing five key hypotheses and introducing the concept of “transcooperation,” arguing for the need to confront systemic challenges such as capitalist, patriarchal and colonial practices within the platform economy and language industry. It also advocates for exploring cooperative models as viable alternatives to ensure fair work conditions for translators in the cognitive capitalist era.