Invisible Workers in Philippines' Ghost Kitchens: Trends and Implications

Abstract

This research workshop reports on employee relations within ghost kitchens, which are delivery-only food businesses. Surveys conducted with 125 'invisible' ghost kitchen employees revealed that almost 70% of them had less than one year's experience working in ghost kitchens. Yet, close to half could see themselves working in such environments for four years or more. Ghost kitchens also featured a small pool of less than four staff and a workforce aged 18-25. More than half of the respondents possessed undergraduate qualifications, and at least two-thirds of those surveyed were female. Overall, favorable working conditions, as evidenced by ghost kitchen employees, contribute to theoretical and managerial implications for existing and future ghost kitchen practices.