December 2023

New EU gig worker rules will decide who should get benefits for full-time workers

In a bid to improve working conditions for people delivering food and offering rides through smartphone apps, the European Union on Wednesday gave temporary approval to rules that stipulate that Who should get the benefits of full-time employees and restrict online avenues? Platforms use algorithms to manage their employees. The European Parliament and the 27 EU member states agreed on a platform worker directive that took years to create. It aims to boost protections and benefits for the growing number...

We Have to Strengthen the Gig Economy and Its Workers in 2024. Here’s How |

  It's past time in 2024 to strengthen the income, benefits, and safety net for workers in America's gig economy. More than 57 million workers participate in some way in the gig economy today—the economy of independent contractors, freelancers, and contingent and online platform workers. They are in all sectors and occupations: as home repair persons, temp workers, hair stylists, as well as drivers for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, and the other delivery services. Their numbers rose by an estimated 15 percent...

October 2023

Statisticians adopt new standards on measuring informal employment

The 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians  (ICLS) has adopted new standards on the informal economy that will enable countries to collect better data and make better policies for workers employed in the informal economy. The resolution was passed at the centennial ICLS, held at the headquarters of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, between 11-20 October. Two billion people worldwide work in the informal economy, often with no labour protections or social security coverage and in poor working conditions. Yet,...

Nigeria. Informal sector workers demand social protection

The Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria has canvassed for social protection for informal workers, noting that over 90 per cent of Nigerians are engaged in the sector. The call was made by delegates at the 2nd Delegates Conference of the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisations of Nigeria held recently in Lagos. The union argued that government policies have led to the collapse of many industries in the formal sector over the years. This has led to rapid expansion of the...

UK. Concerns over self-employed pension adequacy persist

Self-employed workers could boost their retirement resilience by paying into their partner's pension, Hargreaves Lansdown has said, after its analysis raised concerns over the current level of pension saving amongst the self-employed. According to the latest data from the Hargreaves Lansdown Savings and Resilience Barometer, self-employed led households scored 53/100 for their financial resilience compared to 67/100 among employee-led households. However, the firm clarified that the picture is "a bit more nuanced than this", as households where the self-employed worker is...

September 2023

Experts urge social protection for gig workers amidst growing digital economy

The rise of gig work makes it important that workers be given social protection since they may not have access to pensions, health insurance or unemployment benefits. Till the world comes up with a perfect definition for gig work, experts at the Asia-Pacific Social Protection Week organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), between September 26-28 in Manila, Philippines, were of the opinion that it would do well to take care of gig workers. Not only it is the smart...

Extending contribution-based social security schemes for workers in the informal economy and self- employed in Nepal

By International Labour Organization This brief was prepared by André F. Bongestabs and Suravi Bhandary based on the technical note produced by Pierre Plamondon, Senior Actuary, with the support of ILO’s Actuarial Services Unit, as part of the technical support provided by the ILO to the Social Security Fund of Nepal. The brief discusses various considerations that needs to be placed during the design and implementation of contribution-based social security for workers in the informal economy and self-employment. It is...

August 2023

Nigeria mulls Rwanda, Kenya model to spike micro- pension enrolment

Stakeholders in the Nigerian pension industry worried about the slow pace of informal sector enrolment into the country’s Micro Pension Plan (MPP) are considering workable models in Rwanda, Kenya among others. They believe that they lack of critical incentives like co-contributions, free healthcare and insurance found in micro pension scheme in these other countries are making the Nigerian model unattractive to potential enrolees. In this vein, the industry including the regulator, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Pension Fund Administrators...

Uncovering the profile of low earners in the UK and the potential for pension saving through automatic enrolment

By Pensions and lifetime savings association  In the realm of pensions policy, there exists a significant knowledge gap when it comes to understanding and addressing the needs of low earners in the United Kingdom. While various segments of the population have been subject to extensive research, individuals with low incomes who are still engaged in employment have remained relatively understudied. This group represents a complex demographic, comprising diverse subgroups, who may be earning modest incomes for varying reasons and circumstances. The...

July 2023

Navigating pension options for gig economy workers

Industry experts unravel the common challenges and potential for gig workers in pension planning. The first question is, how much should you save? The gig economy has been growing steadily in the UK, bringing flexible work arrangements to millions of individuals. However, with this newfound flexibility comes the responsibility of planning for a secure financial future, including retirement. Workers in the gig economy often face unique challenges when it comes to pension planning. Unlike traditional employees, they typically lack access to...