118 People Searching for Jobs While Relying on Free Wi-Fi: The Hidden Side of Gig Work Where the Economically Disadvantaged Cannot Earn 'Today's Cash'

Flexible working styles, known as gig workers or spot workers, are rapidly expanding, with millions of users on gig work apps, indicating a major turning point in the labor market. However, it has become clear that in the platform economy, where everyone should be able to work easily, people without mobile phones "cannot even apply" for day labor or single-task jobs. This highlights a structure where those in economically difficult situations are excluded from the "entry point to work." Dare Demo Sumaho Research Center (Headquarters: Toshima-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tsubasa Takahashi), which operates a communication-disadvantaged support business, conducted a survey targeting individuals who have previously been unable to contract a mobile phone in their own name. The report highlights an unexpected pitfall in the current digital society, where even means to earn "today's and tomorrow's cash" are being denied. 【 Job Hunting Relying on Free Wi-Fi and the Barrier of "SMS Authentication" 】 For people struggling with daily living expenses and needing immediate cash income, single-task jobs and day labor are a lifeline. In particular, many have no choice but to rely on such jobs as a means to earn income on the same day. This survey confirmed that 118 people used "free Wi-Fi to search the internet" during periods when they could not contract a mobile phone. However, even after finally finding a job, many cases arise where the application process cannot proceed at the final stage, forcing them to abandon the application on the spot. A total of 280 people responded that they had been rejected from applying for or being hired for single-task jobs due to "no phone number" or "unable to perform SMS authentication," with 150 people saying it happened "many times" and 130 saying it happened "several times." Digital authentication, introduced as a trade-off for enhanced security, has ironically created a situation where those who most urgently need income are excluded from employment opportunities themselves. 【 "If only I had a phone number, I could do day labor" — Urgent Voices from the Field 】 Being unable to participate in the gig economy, which should ideally be open to everyone, not only means losing income opportunities but can also lead to giving up on "working itself." Free responses from the survey revealed the invisible struggles caused by not having a mobile phone and the importance of having one. ・"Without communication means, I couldn't even get a job, my life became impoverished, I searched but couldn't find employment, becoming more and more distressed, pushing myself into a corner." ・"My credit card and smartphone were forcibly canceled, I had no relatives to rely on, and I thought my life was over many times because I couldn't do anything. If I had a mobile phone number, I could do day labor." ・"If an adult's phone stops working, they can't even get work. People suspect what kind of life you're living, and you won't be asked to do decent work." New mobile phone contracts require a credit check to confirm payment ability. If one fails the check due to past arrears, they effectively lose both "identification" and "means of contact" simultaneously. For employers, hiring someone they cannot contact directly entails risk, resulting in a vicious cycle where people are "willing to work but cannot." 【 Restoring Communication is the First Step to "Life Stability" 】 Interesting data was also obtained regarding changes after regaining a mobile phone. To the question, "Has your current working style and income stabilized since you got a smartphone?", 234 people answered "somewhat stabilized," and combined with 221 people who answered "very stabilized," it shows that many people feel an improvement in their employment situation. From this result, it is clear that regaining access to short-term jobs like single-task or day labor directly leads to long-term life stability. The situation where restoring access to communication infrastructure directly serves as a stepping stone to economic independence has been confirmed. 【 Summary: Communication Infrastructure is a Social Safety Net 】 It has become clear that the spot work market, which is supposed to offer flexible working styles, ironically functions as a barrier for economically disadvantaged individuals by requiring "SMS authentication" for identity verification and security enhancement. This problem cannot be understood within the framework of individual responsibility. If people willing to work are excluded from employment opportunities by the system itself, it is a significant loss for society as a whole, which needs labor. In an era where even day labor to earn "today's and tomorrow's cash" is difficult to access without a smartphone and a phone number, communication infrastructure must truly function as a "social safety net."