Addressing the Unemployment Challenge through Mobile Digital Microwork

Abstract

As the global online job market grows, digital microwork is seen by governments in developing countries as a way to reduce unemployment and increase forex earnings. The digital labor market is opening a path for people who have previously been economically excluded to earn an income and live decently. Digital workers are not only able to participate in their respective local job markets, but they are also empowered to compete for jobs in the global online job market regardless of their geographic location. Despite the known potential benefits, there are a number of barriers and potential issues experienced by digital platform workers. We conducted empirical research specifically focused on mobile microworkers in South Africa to investigate attitudes, expectations as well as the key barriers experienced regarding participation in mobile digital microwork. The study conducts an analysis of the various identified issues and proposes several actionable policy implications for South African governmental and non-governmental job creation agencies and, mutatis mutandis, other developing countries with similar contexts.