NAIROBI, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya on Tuesday launched a new toolkit designed to offer a policy roadmap to boost its gig economy.
Mary Kerema, secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy, said the new toolkit, titled "a policy guide for digital economy progress," offers a comprehensive roadmap to improve Kenya's gig economy and create a more equitable and sustainable sector for over one million workers and businesses alike.
"The toolkit offers a detailed policy as a guide to propelling the digital economy in the country," Kerema said during the launch in Kenya's capital of Nairobi.
She noted that the new toolkit will introduce new strategies aimed at expanding access to digital services and fostering sustainable growth in the digital economy. Additionally, it will address the key challenges faced by gig workers in digital sectors, with the goal of fostering growth and development.
Developed by Mastercard Foundation, eMobilis Technology Institute and Africa Practice, the toolkit will help establish policies and guidelines to ensure timely payments for workers and prevent exploitation by employers.
Ken Mwenda, managing director and co-founder of eMobilis Technology Institute, said the toolkit will help transform the power of Kenya's gig economy since it provides a clear pathway to create an environment where gig workers can access better opportunities, and where businesses can invest with confidence in this rapidly growing sector.
Currently, 1.2 million workers, most of whom operate in the informal sector, are employed in the gig economy, he said, adding that with the sector's annual value estimated at 109 million U.S. dollars, gig work has become a cornerstone of Kenya's digital economy.
However, he noted that despite this growth, gig workers face challenges such as algorithmic bias on global platforms and limited legal protections within Kenya.
The toolkit adopts a systems-change approach to strengthen the connection between labor protection and a conducive environment for businesses, such as digital labor platforms and business-process outsourcing enterprises. It proposes five key interventions, including the creation of a tripartite forum to establish industry standards and a multipurpose gig worker registration platform.
The guide also emphasizes the need for legal reforms to improve protections for gig workers under the Employment Act 2007 and other labor laws. ■
