Working Towards a Fair Platform Economy: Policy and Practices

Stakeholder Discussion for Fairwork Bangladesh Ratings 2023

Date: May 2, 2023 | Time: 11:00 AM (BST) | Venue: e-CAB Open Space

Over the past decade, Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure has fueled a booming platform economy, drawing many workers with promises of flexibility and low entry barriers. Despite this growth, the industry often lacks universal labor practices and adequate legislation to ensure a safe and fair work environment.

In this context, the DataSense unit of iSocial, as part of the three-year Fairwork Bangladesh Research Project, hosted a critical stakeholder discussion. The event’s primary goal was to introduce the Fairwork principles and foster a collaborative environment to discuss best labor practices and potential policy interventions for the platform economy in Bangladesh.

The discussion convened a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from platforms, worker unions, business associations, and research organizations. Participants delved into key issues such as:

• Identifying policy gaps in ensuring fair labor practices.
• Learning from the global policy landscape.
• Discussing necessary reforms for platforms operating in Bangladesh.

The event aimed to achieve several key outcomes, including an enhanced understanding of Fairwork principles and the identification of best labor practices. Ultimately, the project seeks to inform the development of more equitable policies, promote better labor practices within platform businesses, and contribute to the empowerment of platform workers. The goal is to guide the platform economy toward a more sustainable and equitable path that benefits all stakeholders.