Upwork makes you jump through code challenge hoops and competes you against people in countries where $1/hr is kingly. Doesn't exactly engender loyalty.

Wait, Upwork gives you a preemptive code challenge just for you to promote your business (since self-employment is a business)?

Ewwwwwwwwww!

From another perspective, upwork gives people in low-incinr countries a chance to work for companies in high-income countries without winning a lottery and leaving their families behind.

Therefore upwork directly improves equality of opportunity in the world.

It's more expensive to live in a society with rule of law and basic services. But that doesn't mean we should encourage the alternative.

I can only hope the transfer of wealth accomplishes some greater flourishing of human rights across the world as well.