•They have acknowledged that digital platform work represents an emerging and important aspect of the future of work
•However, the rapid transformations in the labour marketplace are happening in a context that lacks the proper regulatory frameworks and/or weak enforcement mechanisms
Image: HANDOUT
Civil society now wants the state through the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) to audit and publish a list of compliant foreign digital companies operating in Kenya.
They further want the Parliamentary Committee on Labour to investigate the conduct of foreign digital companies operating in Kenya for alleged unethical and discriminatory practices.
In a joint statement on Saturday, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Siasa Place, The Youth Agenda and Kariobangi Social Justice Center also called for transparency and accountability from online task platforms operating in Kenya.
Their call comes days after the popular gigs site Remotasks allegedly ceased operations in Kenya.
The site was popular among the unemployed youth who were using it as a platform to work remotely.
The organisations now allege that despite the digital platforms providing opportunities for youth in Kenya, some might be intentionally targeting vulnerable groups for exploitation under the guise of ‘expanding opportunities.’
"We are deeply concerned with the absence of a clear and comprehensive framework for the protection of digital and platform workers’ rights including access to the right information and fair and humane treatment at all times," they said.
They further alleged that there is a significant disparity in salaries, wages and benefits between digital platform workers in Kenya and their counterparts in the rest of the world.
"We demand that the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) continues to stand in solidarity with all and any workers within the Republic of Kenya, and to offer support, solidarity and advice," they said.
They have acknowledged that digital platform work represents an emerging and important aspect of the future of work.
However, the rapid transformations in the labour marketplace are happening in a context that lacks the proper regulatory frameworks and/or weak enforcement mechanisms.
They said the regulation framework will ensure the transitions do not harm the rights of parties involved, and that businesses do not violate the labour and related human rights of workers in their countries of operation.
They now want the stakeholders including Parliament and the Ministry of Labour to act with speed to safeguard the best interest of all the affected workers in accordance with the Kenyan law.
"The sudden closure of some accounts highlights the vulnerability of workers in this emerging realm of work, and especially those who depend primarily on such digital platforms work for their livelihood," they noted.
They have called on all companies offering work in the digital platform workspace in Kenya to conduct a self-assessment of their operations to ensure they operate within the laws of Kenya.