Unveiling Little Tech in Nigeria: A White Paper on the Public Policy Considerations in the Automated Management of Workers
49 Pages Posted: 1 Nov 2023 Last revised: 22 Nov 2023
Date Written: October 3, 2023
Abstract
The aim of this research is to identify Little Tech that is sold and/or available in Nigeria. It also provides a summary of trends that highlight problematic vendors and practices, raising public policy issues in Nigeria. These public policy issues focus on the use and/or sales of Little Tech in relation to the monitoring and/or surveillance of gig workers. This research also includes various policy recommendations necessary to protect the interests of these workers in Nigeria’s evolving gig economy. In this research, the term ‘Little Tech’ refers to ‘the unregulated marketplace of tech products that are collecting and aggregating data about workers at almost every step of the labour process — hiring/recruitment, workplace safety and productivity, workplace and public benefits, reskilling/ retraining, et al’. In other words, these products automate different aspects of the labour and/or employment process.
This research is an expanded version of the scope of work originally outlined in the Agreement entered by the researcher and New Venture Fund and builds upon the US database of Little Tech products identified by Coworker.org. It is a spin-off and may be read in conjunction with the report ‘Little Tech Is Coming For Workers’ by Wilneida Negrón, Ph.D. Unlike the US Little Tech Tech Report, this research focuses solely on products sold and/or used in Nigeria and excludes those already catalogued in the US Little Tech Report. Furthermore, the public policy issues discussed and recommendations proposed are specific to Nigeria.
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