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Introducing the second year of Fairwork research in Tanzania
Building upon our research from 2022, the REPOA team is excited to share our plans for Year 2 and the initiatives we are undertaking to improve the platform economy in Tanzania. The project is housed at REPOA, a think tank based in Tanzania under the leadership of Dr. Hilda Mwakatumbula and Dr. Lucas Katera.
In our previous research, we shed light on the challenges workers in the platform economy have had to confront, including job insecurity, lack of social protection, and unfair payment practices. The six platforms operating in Tanzania were assessed against five principles of fairness: fair pay, fair conditions, fair contracts, fair management, and fair representation, and each platform was given a rating out of ten. Paisha, a local ride-hailing platform, leads the 2022 Fairwork scorecard with four out of ten points, while Piki, a local delivery and collection platform, is in second place with three points. Ping (a ride-hailing platform) scored one point while Bolt, Fixchap (an artisan platform) and Little Ride all scored zero. Unfortunately, few local Tanzanian platforms could demonstrate compliance with Fairwork principles in the first scoring round. These findings emphasized the urgent need for interventions to ensure better working conditions and protection for platform workers.
Year 2 research objectives
The REPOA team is expanding our research efforts to delve deeper into the platform economy in Tanzania. We will be rating thirteen platforms, taking into account the diversity of sectors they operate in. Our research will encompass both established and emerging platforms, providing a comprehensive understanding of the digital labour ecosystem. We have also categorized the platforms into distinct categories in order to identify specific challenges faced by workers in each category and propose targeted solutions.
Building upon the insights gained from last year’s research, we have added new platforms to our assessment this year. These additions allow us to capture the evolving dynamics of the platform economy and address the unique challenges faced by workers associated with emerging platforms. By incorporating a diverse range of platforms, we hope to promote inclusivity in our research and subsequent recommendations.
As we embark on the second year of our research, we anticipate that platforms will recognize the need to address the challenges faced by their workers. We hope to witness greater engagement and cooperation from platform companies, fostering dialogue and collaboration to affect positive change. By incorporating feedback and insights from workers themselves, we aspire to see tangible improvements in the platform economy.
Invitation to sign the pledge
We invite individuals, organizations, and stakeholders to join us in our endeavor to improve the platform economy in Tanzania. By signing the pledge, you contribute to creating a fairer and more sustainable environment for platform workers. Together, we can advocate for better working conditions, fair remuneration, and social protection measures. Join us in making a positive impact in the lives of platform workers across the country.
Upcoming stakeholder meeting
We are thrilled to announce that an upcoming stakeholder meeting to be held on 13 June 2023 that will discuss our findings, recommendations, and strategies for improving the platform economy in Tanzania. We encourage everyone to stay tuned for updates on this meeting and actively participate in shaping the future of the platform economy.
Conclusion
Year 2 of our research endeavors promises to be a significant step forward in enhancing the platform economy in Tanzania. By acknowledging the challenges faced by workers, exploring new platforms, and advocating for better working conditions, we are dedicated to fostering positive change. Stay tuned as we work towards creating a fair and equitable platform economy for all. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of platform workers in Tanzania.