Roundtable on safe and fair data work in the digital labour economy

The two NGOs, Siasa Place and Superrr Lab, invited data workers, labour rights activists, government officials and legislators, researchers, unions and civil society organizations to a virtual roundtable discussion. They jointly debated on problems and opportunities in implementing workers' requests to improve working conditions as well as strategies and cross-cultural networks that support worker solidarity and drive change.

Critical issues in the digital labour economy

Currently, data labelling and content moderation are not recognized as certified occupations. Workers lack recognition in society and economic security. Non-disclosure agreements have proven to be a key hindrance for the improvement of data workers’ working conditions and career advancements. Furthermore, the sector is still lacking international benchmarks. The developed demands by Kenyan and German data workers are therefore a first step in this direction.

The demands of content moderators and data annotators

In August 2024, Kenyan and German content moderators and data labellers identified eight key demands. The fight against any kind of discrimination as well as the guaranteed freedom of assembly and speech for all workers were specified as the highest priorities. In addition, it was determined that employers must provide clear and transparent terms and conditions and that tech companies must be accountable for the critical safety work of data workers. Data workers furthermore called for proper compensation, social benefits, as well as mental health care for employees dealing with disturbing content and demanded the recognition of data work as a legitimate occupation. This includes the appropriate training and entitlement to all statutory benefits under the law with proper legislative frameworks established and efforts to unionize or form work councils across the industry. Workers demanded that tech companies must not stand in the way of employees and must allow organisers to have sessions with employees openly, freely and without intimidation.

Joined session on Data Labellers Association in Kenya

In various breakout sessions, stakeholders got to engage with the demands more deeply. One session, for example, discussed how the current set of demands can be expanded upon and what initiatives can be undertaken by the newly formed Kenya Data Labellers Association. Topics included activities improving mental wellbeing, upskilling and advocacy for data labellers. The space provided an opportunitiy to reflect on the workers’ demands that, for the first time, were discussed with additional stakeholders. It was also a key opportunity to further grow an international network of players strongly engaged in the improvement of data workers’ working conditions.

The roundtable was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the Kenyan-German Digital Dialogue and by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development as part of its Gig Economy Initiative and the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Kenya.