COVID-19 News 2/4

Apr 21, 20201 min read

Digital platforms’ role in African digitisation and gig work on the back of COVID-19

CENFRI explores how both platform businesses and their workers in Africa are pivoting in response to COVID-19 measures.

Apr 21, 20201 min read

Coronavirus vs. Gig Economy - Many Left Jobless

A survey of 1400 gig workers across the world found that many have had to quit their jobs due to a decrease in demand.

Apr 16, 20201 min read

How COVID-19 has impacted South Africa’s job search market

Many South African job seekers don't seem equipped to work remotely as the current situation requires, new data shows.

Apr 15, 20201 min read

South Africa: Takealot CEO’s asks government to allow unfettered e-commerce

South Africa’s largest online retailer Takealot.com can only sell essential items because of the lockdown.

Apr 15, 20201 min read

COVID-19 exposes risks and opportunities in Kenya's gig economy

In Kenya earnings for gig workers offering artisanal and personal services are down by about 90 percent because of COVID-19.

Apr 13, 20201 min read

Consequences of COVID19 on food delivery workers in south India

he author paints a bleak picture of the working conditions of gig workers in India whose services have become critical during COVID-19.

Apr 13, 20201 min read

Uber updates its coronavirus compensation policy for drivers

Uber adjusted its new COVID-19 paid sick leave policy to include drivers with pre-existing conditions.

Apr 9, 20201 min read

COVID-19 policies leave gig workers out in the Cold- Fairwork

The Fairwork Foundation which advocates for better working conditions for gig workers has been critical of measures by platforms.

Apr 8, 20201 min read

Companies work on transforming to online, home delivery model

Leading retailers, ecommerce firms and restaurants in India are transforming to online, home delivery model.

Apr 7, 20201 min read

Leveraging and protecting the gig economy against COVID-19

This report highlights approaches and measures companies and governments have taken to provide temporary relief to gig workers.

Apr 7, 20201 min read

Coronavirus turns Uber into gig platform for all work

Uber launched a new Work Hub that enables its drivers to find alternative gig work, in such areas as customer service and food production.

Apr 6, 20201 min read

US gig economy: Amazon and grocery delivery workers seeing uptick, rideshare income down- data

COVID-19 has had an overwhelmingly negative impact on the hourly and gig economies according to data from STEADY a gig work platform.

Apr 6, 20201 min read

COVID-19 and the Gig Economy: A Conversation with Dmitri Koustas

University of Chicago economist Dmitri Koustas who has done extensive studies on the gig economy discusses policymaker response to COVID-19.

Apr 5, 20201 min read

Chinese giants rose to the COVID-19 challenge. Will their global peers?

In China, superplatforms such as Alibaba, Meituan, JD, and others launched a number of initiatives to support SMEs during the pandemic.

Apr 5, 20201 min read

South Africa: SweepSouth launches fund for workers

SweepSouth, the online platform for cleaners in South Africa is fundraising for its workers who are unable to work because of COVID-19.

Apr 5, 20201 min read

COVID-19: Indian neobank offers financial solution for gig economy platforms

Avail a gig economy neobank launched a product to help gig-economy platforms financially support their workers.

Apr 4, 20201 min read

India: COVID-19 lockdown may be a boon for gig workers with unusual partnerships

COVID-19 has inspired unusual partnerships among start-ups, traditional businesses, and hospitals in India.

Apr 3, 20201 min read

A lockdown across three Nigerian cities is hurting ride-hailing startups

In Nigeria, ride-hailing companies Uber and Bolt took a hit after a lockdown that started on March 30.

Apr 3, 20201 min read

Swiggy to offer financial support to Coronavirus-infected delivery partners

Food delivery company Swiggy launched a fund to support its workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Apr 3, 20201 min read

US gig workers seeking Covid-19 jobless benefits hit bureaucratic wall

Uber and Lyft drivers are hitting a wall in their efforts to apply for the coronavirus jobless benefits promised by Congress.