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Economy

'Gig economy' workers fall on hard times in Singapore and Australia

Freelancers say coronavirus has taken $215m bite out of incomes so far

Singaporean freelance photographer Nicholas Yeo says he has lost around $4,200 from canceled gigs as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.   © Nicholas Yeo

SINGAPORE -- Nicholas Yeo did not expect such a rocky start to his first year as a full-time freelance photographer. The 26-year-old graduate of Singapore's Nanyang Technological University counted it a blessing that his passion for taking pictures was also his livelihood.

Now he doesn't feel so lucky. As the new coronavirus swept the globe, he saw more and more work dry up as events were canceled or postponed for health and safety reasons.

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