Digital platform workers’ access to employee protection and social security

Platform workers in Bangladesh describe their access to protection and social security in these terms –

More than 95% of workers in Bangladesh either did not have knowledge about any benefits provided by the platforms with which they were engaged, or reported that these platforms did not provide any benefits at all.
Shifting focus to the government's social security mechanisms, even though 83% workers have awareness about one or more schemes, a staggering 87% of them did not receive any benefits.

What are the benefits and protections offered to workers by the platforms?

Are employee protection benefits well advertised by platforms and easy to access for digital platform workers?

What are the challenges digital platform workers face in accessing these benefits?

Worker reports highlight crucial gaps in platform provided benefits.

“

We are given paid leaves. But it has happened that the customer has called and said there are guests at their place. In such cases, I have had to work on my leave as well, although this happens only occasionally. I can call the helpline to report this and they would change the house where I am sent to work. Although they have many people working on their helpline, it is difficult to get in touch with them. I had to call several times. I didn’t feel comfortable working at a couple of places. Then the office told me to cancel the job. They said that that’s not their problem.”

- Rubina, home service worker,

Dhaka, Bangladesh

How many digital platform workers are aware of government social security schemes and receive benefits?

83% of workers in Bangladesh across sectors reported being aware of government schemes, especially those related to compensation for the elderly, widows, persons with disability, etc. Despite a large share of workers having information about schemes, 87% were not able to access benefits.

“

I have a general idea about them, like there’s old age allowance, disability allowance, widow’s allowance. But this is all I know. I have never received anything out of them.”

- Abdul, ridesharing worker,