Recap— Platform Livelihoods Report Launch
Research Insights with Commentary from Gig Economy Experts
Our recent study on platform livelihoods highlights the experiences of the youth in Kenya as they trade, work, rent, and engage on digital platforms. This research is part of a series of other studies we are conducting with Caribou in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The Caribou partnership with Qhala allows us to surface these insights with local partners, understanding really from the ground the dynamics that involve the digital economy,entailing the positive, challenges and barriers. The research continues to inform the work we are doing with Young Africa works, which is here to intervene, address the challenges and increase the opportunities.
Patrick Karanja — Program Partner, Digital Economy, Mastecard Foundation
Highlights from the study
With the accelerated uptake of digital recently due to COVID-19, Shikoh, CEO, Qhala mentioned how this comes with new pathways, opportunities, and vulnerabilities. She added that we have so much more to learn through research, intending to be able to design for all, to make a change in their livelihoods in a tangible manner. She paused several questions highlighting what the findings of the study expose:
- On unemployment and underemployment — what is the magic stick that will solve this for us, how can technology help?
- How can we continue supporting sustainable work that helps young people find work and navigate entrepreneurship, going beyond opening a business to building up the entrepreneurial mindset?
- What does fulfillment entail? Is it passion, getting food on the table? Or something else?
The full session can be viewed here
Our main takeaways from the commentary.
Guest panelists shared their insights, highlighting several other themes present in the research.
- Ukulima si ushamba (farming is not a backward activity).
With youth engaging in farming, some are dedicated to rebranding farming including showcasing their work online. As more people engage in farming, the focus will be on how they can go up the value chain, beyond production to see themselves as entrepreneurs. On creating content to share with other farmers, farmer on fire shared,
I never thought I would be blogging about farming, I never saw money change hands so I never saw it like a career path. — Farmer on fire
2. How connected the owners of these platforms are with the intended users.
Global platforms coming into the local market will need to understand the local setting to ensure they are serving the user right. Through research and speaking to the people to who these platforms are intended, digital platforms can both improve on the usability and continue building guided by the market needs.
3. Beyond the convenience, platform users and workers are looking for more.
Social commerce, engagement, and social agriculture present an aspect of the need for more, especially with the younger demographic. Those using the platforms are looking beyond convenience, for more interactions.
Sellers are building communities for their products, and building empathy through constant interaction with them. Digital platforms will need to think about the functionality of communication. With this, comes the question of the relevance of the mainstream formal e-commerce platform based on the needs of this demographic.
4. Digital platforms are rigid for creators.
While platforms offer equal access, it is up to you as a creator to develop an audience. Similar to building communities through social commerce, social media offers creatives the freedom, allowing them to own audience, data, and feedback.
Creators have become experts across the value chain. Platforms are also supporting the backend work required for creating and distributing creative work. There is a skillset required to accompish these, what gap can we fill to enable creatives succeed? — Maurice Otieno
5. Existing structures for distribution present us with new challenges.
As we democratize how to get jobs, how do we protect platform workers from a tech platform? As platforms try to be mediators through the value chain, there is a need to ensure that the flow of value is not disrupted. How do we ensure stellar revenue share among all those involved?
Platforms will need to go beyond giving opportunities to addressing the vulnerabilities that this type of work involves especially around social protection. Health and safety are of the main concern, especially around mental health.
6. Digital complements the gig economy and the versatility that this entails.
As the question of unemployment takes a different turn, young people can not be boxed in one profile. We are observing trends, employed vs unemployed does not apply much, it’s now a combination of the portfolio of work. Young people redefining how they engage in the labor force, the broader issues that come with this need to be understood.
7. Formalizing the informal.
The digital economy in the western market is different as compared to what we have here. It brings professionalism and a level of infrastructure that was previously absent. With informal jobs, there is zero traceability to what most have been able to do. Digital platforms help in professionalizing these hustles and exposing invisibility. As more people engage, they can showcase and organize their work.
8. Caught up in it’s better than nothing.
As we navigate the “new normal” that is definitely not normal, we are seeing more resilience, but this poses the question of,
How much longer can we live in a precarious environment? Who is bearing the brand of rogue operators?We need to be careful on where we recommend and to whom. — Nanjira
Currently, there are no defined labor rights in the informal sector in Kenya and this exposed the lack of control to legislate how these platforms are operated locally. As policymakers go out to govern, there will be a need for all those involved are getting a better deal, platform workers included. This will be a continuous loop between policy, government, platforms, platform workers, and researchers. At the moment, community, organizing, and associations are helping. Policies will be needed to help in adapting to the times.
9. Social-cultural biases of gender still exist.
Cultural bias still exists in some sectors even when the platform worker can have the capacity to do the work, most common in logistic drivers which is commonly a man’s job. While with most of the platform work one can choose where and when to work, women need supportive environments to be there, even as they trade beyond borders.
10. Dignity and sustainability vary.
On the question of dignity and sustainability, platform workers reflect on what they have been able to achieve, what this work has exposed them to over time including learning new skills that they can use in the ever-changing market.
Who defines decent? Can I put food in the table? You can not compare, some days are better than others. You learn as you go. The definition is personal, it really is up to you”
Read the full report here:
Introducing the Gender Study
We are currently conducting a study on women and platform livelihoods in Kenya. We shared some insights from what we have gotten so far, more on this in the coming months. We are finding that;
- The platform offers a peer-to-peer learning environment where women share questions and tips about their businesses.
- Access determines growth. Beyond a device and finances, mentorship, training, and access to information are key.
- Cyberbullying is still a challenge for women to get online.
- Who is this woman? It is hard to deconstruct who the woman is. The demographic is huge including urban women and rural women. While tech acts as an enabler, tech might also become the stumbling block for some. The question of inclusion is key.
This research was co-led by Qhala and Caribou Digital, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation. We welcome any feedback, from useful literature you think we should consult to methods we might have missed.
Join us on this journey and follow us on Twitter on @Qhala and @cariboudigital and Medium Qhala and @cariboudigital. #platformlivelihoods
