As the Bangladesh country partner of the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, DataSense conducted the second annual evaluation of the gig economy in Bangladesh and shows that fairer, more equitable gig work is possible within the platform economy. The report assessed nine digital labour platforms operating across Bangladesh, creating an annual ranking of these platforms based on their performance in maintaining these policies.
Project timeline:
Sep 2022 – Aug 2023
Partners:
- Oxford Internet Institute, The University of Oxford, Bangladesh
- GIZ
- WZB
- Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Project objective:
As in previous years, the aim was to assess and rank digital labour platforms in Bangladesh (11 platforms in 2023) against the five Fairwork principles (Fair Pay, Fair Conditions, Fair Contracts, Fair Management, Fair Representation) for local context. In 2023 a clear, incremental improvement was observed in platform fairness, but systemic weaknesses particularly around living wages, contract clarity, and worker bargaining persist. This year’s report successfully focused on formalizing platform work through regulation and policy frameworks, marking a pivotal moment beyond ranking into active reform advocacy. The project uses a rigorous methodology involving desk research, interviews with platform management, and direct interviews with workers to gather evidence for scoring.
Project outcome:
- Overall Score Improvement: The highest platform scores increased and two platforms (Sheba.xyz ,Daraz) achieved the top score of 5/10. Uber, HelloTask, Pathao have achieved improvement since last year.
- Fair Pay Advancements: While no platform was guaranteeing a living wage, some workers, particularly from Sheba and HelloTask, reported earning at or above minimum wage. However, pay variability remains high fairwork.
- Fair Conditions Improvements: Only Chaldal and Pathao demonstrated adequate safety measures. Around 56% of workers still reported lacking safety protections.
- Fair Contracts Continued Gaps: Most workers still lacked clear contractual terms. Only a few platforms offers transparent terms and conditions; none offers protection against disproportionate risk.
- Fair Management Gains: Evidence of humancentered support (e.g., call centers) was more consistent, though formal appeal processes remain limited fair work.
- Fair Representation Weak: Four platforms (Uber, Pathao, Obhai, CarBangla) showed some worker-representation channels, but no platform engaged in formal collective bargaining.
- Rise of ‘Khaep’ as Worker Strategy: Bypassing platforms persisted and expanded into delivery/domestic services. Of 113 workers interviewed, 40 reported engaging in “khaep,” highlighting the phenomenon’s growing prevalence.
- Stakeholder Awareness: The report calls for recognized platform workers in labour law, mandatory insurance, and health and safety regulation. Fairwork launched the Fairwork Pledge, reaching universities, investors, and organizations to signal support for fair platform labour.
Project Impact:
- Measured Progress in Scores: Platforms began to deliver fairer treatment across principles, with some moving beyond 50% compliance.
- Policy Momentum Gained: The report has shifted discourse, prompting high-level discussions around compulsory minimum employment protections, insurance coverage, and health standards.
- Empowered Collective Identity: Worker testimony of “Khaep” and mention of representation channels signal stronger grassroots awareness.
- Institutional Support Mobilized: Multiple organizations signed the Fairwork Pledge, promoting ethical platform engagement.
- Growing Public Visibility: Through media coverage and a public launch, the report heightened awareness of gig worker issues and the necessity of labour formalization.