Platform Livelihoods and Digital Inclusion (Caribou Digital)

Arguments

Most of the young persons with disabilities, they start and often stay on social commerce

Supporting facts:

• E-commerce platforms are not adapted to sellers with disabilities, requiring human assistance, having issues of privacy, and often leading to discrimination

Topics: Disability, Social Commerce, Accessibility, E-commerce

There is an intersection between gender, disability, and platform work

Supporting facts:

• Women were getting lower returns per month compared to men, yet they reported being more content as platform work offered them freedom and flexibility

Topics: Disability, Gender Equality, Platform work

Report

The analysis sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the realm of e-commerce and platform work. One of the key issues identified is the lack of accessibility on e-commerce platforms for sellers with disabilities. This creates a need for human assistance and raises privacy concerns, as well as leading to instances of discrimination.

As a result, many young persons with disabilities tend to start and stay on social commerce platforms as they find them more accommodating. This aligns with the need for major design and policy changes on e-commerce sites to improve accessibility for visually impaired users, as many sites currently pose challenges for users with visual impairments.

Difficulties in signing up, logging in, and image uploading are among the barriers that inhibit the full participation of individuals with disabilities in the digital marketplace. Therefore, significant changes in design and policy are required to address these accessibility issues and create a more inclusive environment.

Another significant finding is the intersection between gender, disability, and platform work. Women in platform work often receive lower returns compared to men. However, they report higher levels of contentment due to the freedom and flexibility that this type of work affords.

This suggests that while there may be economic disparities, the non-monetary benefits of platform work are valued by women with disabilities. It is important to note that policy-level changes are recommended to enhance market accessibility for persons with disabilities, as government support plays a crucial role in enabling individuals with disabilities to take advantage of the formal marketplace.

The analysis also highlights the need for further research in this area. Specifically, there is a call for investigation into the gender perspective in platform work and understanding why disabled individuals opt for normal WhatsApp instead of WhatsApp Business. These research efforts can provide insights into the specific needs and preferences of individuals with disabilities in the context of platform work.

Another significant barrier identified is the lack of training opportunities for users with disabilities. The analysis emphasizes that the cost of training often restricts individuals with disabilities from accessing the necessary skills and knowledge. This limitation hinders their ability to engage in platform work and inhibits their potential for economic growth.

Therefore, it is important to highlight the need for skills training to address this barrier and promote equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the digital economy. In conclusion, the analysis underscores the various challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in the e-commerce and platform work landscape.

It emphasizes the urgency for improved accessibility, policy reforms, further research, and skills training to enhance market opportunities for persons with disabilities. By addressing these challenges, we can foster an inclusive digital economy that reduces inequalities and promotes economic growth for all.

Arguments

Platform livelihoods involves everybody who is working, trading, renting, or creating on a platform or through a platform in order to earn a living.

Supporting facts:

• Platform livelihoods are often more common and fractional than gig work alone.

• Platformisation is becoming a central structuring tool in the economies.

Topics: Digital Inclusion, Platform Livelihoods, Gig Economy

Around one in five people in the Indonesian economy rely on platform livelihoods for their income.

Supporting facts:

• Estimate suggests about 4.5 million people in Indonesia’s workforce rely exclusively on platforms for their livelihood.

• Another estimated 20 million rely part-time on platforms for their livelihood.

Topics: Gig Work, Indonesian Economy, Digital Economy

Youth in Kenya are leveraging digital platforms for their livelihoods.

Supporting facts:

• Youths in Kenya are using digital platforms for various activities such as selling online, offering transport services, real estate, contents creation and freelancing.

Topics: Kenya, Youth Engagement, Digital Platforms

E-commerce and social commerce platforms need to be more accessible and inclusive for persons with disabilities

Supporting facts:

• Most of the e-commerce platforms are not adapted to serve sellers with disabilities

• 90% of persons with disability tested in the study used WhatsApp, signaling need for adaptation and accessibility in more sophisticated e-commerce platforms

Topics: Digital inclusion, e-commerce accessibility, disability rights

Report

The speakers discussed various aspects of the platform economy and its impact on livelihoods. They highlighted that platform livelihoods encompass a wide range of activities, including working, trading, renting, and creating, all done through or on various platforms in order to earn a living.

This indicates that the platform economy is becoming a central structuring tool in economies around the world. In Indonesia, around one in five people rely on platform livelihoods for their income. Estimates suggest that approximately 4.5 million individuals in Indonesia’s workforce rely exclusively on platforms, while an additional 20 million rely on platforms part-time for their livelihoods.

This demonstrates the significant role that platforms play in the Indonesian economy. Meanwhile, youth in Kenya are leveraging digital platforms for their livelihoods. They engage in a wide range of activities such as selling products online, offering transport services, participating in real estate, creating digital content, and freelancing.

This highlights the potential of digital platforms to empower and provide opportunities for the youth population in Kenya. However, the speakers also discussed challenges associated with the platform economy. One issue raised is the lack of accessibility and inclusivity of e-commerce platforms for individuals with disabilities.

It was found that the majority of e-commerce platforms are not adapted to serve sellers with disabilities. A study revealed that 90% of people with disabilities tested relied on WhatsApp for their online activities, indicating the need for more sophisticated e-commerce platforms to be made accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities.

In conclusion, the platform economy has brought about significant changes in the way people engage in economic activities and earn a living. While there are opportunities for individuals to thrive in this economy, there are also challenges that need to be addressed.

Efforts should be made to ensure that platforms are accessible and inclusive for all, including people with disabilities. Regulation, training, and infrastructure development should be leveraged to promote inclusivity and equal participation in the platform economy.

Arguments

The link to income generation from platform livelihoods is there, but it’s not immediately obvious or measurable

Supporting facts:

• For many women, it’s a side hustle, a part-time job in addition to existing work.

• Women often underbid for jobs compared to men.

Topics: Platform Livelihoods, Income Generation

Trust and safety are multidimensional issues for women in platform livelihoods

Supporting facts:

• Many trust issues to be navigated, both from family and online strangers.

• Women worry about poor reviews being left by male customers if they report inappropriate behavior.

Topics: Trust, Online Safety, Women in Platform Livelihoods

Skills for platform livelihoods most often self-taught, accountability of training providers needed

Supporting facts:

• Many women reported the skills were self-taught.

• There were concerns around the validity and worth of paid training content.

Topics: Digital Skills, Training Providers, Accountability

Report

The analysis explores the role of women in the platform economy, highlighting their significant contribution as providers of income. Many women engage in platform work as a side hustle or part-time job while maintaining their existing employment. However, an issue that women frequently encounter is underbidding for jobs, resulting in lower pay compared to their male counterparts.

Trust and safety are identified as multidimensional issues that women face in platform livelihoods. Women navigate various trust issues, including concerns from family and online strangers. Moreover, women worry about receiving poor reviews from male customers if they report inappropriate behavior.

These trust and safety concerns add an additional layer of complexity and potential risk for women in the platform economy. The analysis also uncovers that skills required for platform livelihoods are often self-taught by women. This self-learning approach raises concerns about the validity and value of paid training content.

There is a need for greater accountability from training providers to ensure that women receive quality education and training for platform work. Despite the important role that women play in the platform economy, questions persist about the extent of empowerment they experience.

While several women rely on platform livelihoods as their primary source of income, there is a disconcerting trend of rolling back gender-inclusive policies. The regression of these policies raises concerns about the long-term empowerment and progress of women in the platform economy.

In conclusion, the analysis highlights the significance of women’s participation in the platform economy. However, it also reveals the challenges they face, including underbidding for jobs, trust and safety issues, and self-taught skills. The regression of gender-inclusive policies further raises questions about the extent of empowerment for women in the platform economy.

Addressing these challenges and ensuring gender equality in the platform economy are crucial for a more inclusive and equitable future.