In an untimely twist, the cuts kicked in the same weekend that Australia’s federal politicians enjoyed a raise of 2 percent. Those same politicians will also see tax cuts this financial year, thanks to the lifting of the government’s deficit levy on high-income earners. The pay increase will mean that the prime minister’s salary rises from $517,504 to $527,852.

This follows some discouraging news about the realities of a “gig economy” — the new labor category made up of independent contractors who work for ride-share companies like Uber, odd-job markets like the Australian online platform Airtasker and delivery services like Deliveroo. While those companies have been regularly lauded as disrupters of industry, the consequences of their growth have started becoming evident to many Australians.

So, does Australia have a work force inequality problem? Last week, we covered the push from Australian Uber drivers to be classified as casual workers, rather than “subcontractors.” A driver we spoke with flagged issues like superannuation, sick leave and holiday time as important issues. Australia’s Fair Work ombudsman has announced an investigation.

Dr. Sarah Kaine, the head of the future of work research at the University of Technology Sydney, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that the gig economy could create new social classes of workers: those who enjoy established working entitlements and conditions, and those who are forced to forgo them.

In May, Airtasker announced a landmark agreement with Unions NSW that pushed for a higher minimum pay for its workers, as well as an affordable insurance product that would cover illnesses and accidents.