I have recently become more and more vexed at the farmer outsourcing issue that has been going on forever but is getting perpetually worse.
The algorithms favor the farmers whose profiles are showcased or highlighted to new clients both via direct email and in search.
I know the ToS allows for outsourcing in Fixed Price contracts, but I found this clause which might be able to stop them:
1.3 ACCOUNT PROFILETo register for an Account to join the Site, you must complete a User profile (“Profile”), which you consent to be shown to other Users and, unless you change your privacy settings, to be shown to the public. You agree to provide true, accurate, and complete information on your Profile and all registration and other forms you access on the Site or provide to us and to update your information to maintain its truthfulness, accuracy, and completeness. You agree not to provide any false or misleading information about your identity or location, your business, your skills, or the services your business provides and to correct any such information that is or becomes false or misleading.
Surely claiming to have done thousands of hourly jobs without having actually done them yourself is enough evidence to prove that you're a farmer?
I've brought this up with the Trust and Safety team, but only using a CS rep as an intermediary and although he is brilliant and perseveres, there's still the second language English barrier in the way.
This same team refuse to communicate with me directly.
I've got 3 profiles on the platform who have been doing this for many years and are simply allowed to get away with it because they're making so much money.
Why is it that they can keep both the clients and the other FLs whom they employ in the dark, at the detriment to others who stick to the rules?
I've even traced one of these farmers who at one stage worked for another farmer and then clicked, hey, why don't I also do this, it's so easy, I can make all the money without actually doing any of the work?
How is it that they're amazing polyglots who can speak and translate 13 languages somehow, but continue to post jobs looking for other freelancers who speak those same languages?
Why are these farmers not forced to become agencies?
Is it because the clients wouldn't hire them and want to work with FLs directly?
Is it not the client's right to know their work is being outsourced and they're effectively working through several middle men?
I wish this problem was restricted to only India/Pakistan/Bangladesh/Philipphines, but unfortunately it's not, as I have evidence of FL's hiding behind their fake profiles.
Any suggestions on how we as a community can collectively complain and find a solution to these farmers?
Evidence is pretty hard to obtain as most of it is hidden behind PTCs (private talent clouds).
Any negative feedback due to poor work is simply removed by the farmer as they have that privilege due to their extensive history and earnings.
I'm not looking for Kudos here, I want to here from others who have done anything more than simply flagging a farmers profile or post.
Perhaps the newbies can be informed about their actual worth and to avoid working for farmers.
How this can be done without bringing the platform into disrepute is a difficult one to navigate.
Naming and shaming isn't allowed.
I cannot mention anything about the posts or profiles of these farmers.
Upwork will not take the matter further.
I feel as hopeless as telling the COVIDIOTS to stay the f. home and wear a mask when they're out to protect others - it's like wasting your breath and getting annoyed without any chance of fixing anything!
Deep sigh after getting that off my chest, now back to my feed to find/flag job postings...
