The rapid digitalization of labor markets is transforming work across the globe, offering both opportunities and challenges. In Bangladesh, the platform economy is expanding rapidly, yet women workers continue to face precarious, low-paid, and under-protected roles. This webinar will address the gendered dynamics of the gig economy, assess labor protections, and propose actionable policy reforms. 

The rapid digitalization of labour markets is reshaping work globally particularly through the rise of digital platforms. These platforms create opportunities for employment, income generation, and flexible work arrangements for everyone. However, they also bring significant challenges, especially for women who often are occupied in precarious roles in the gig economy. In 2018, there were an estimated 43 million gig workers globally, a number projected to rise to 78 million by 2023 (Financial Times, 2020). Additionally, the market size of the global gig economy was USD 556.7 billion in 2024, and the market is expected to expand to USD 1,847 billion in 2032 (Business Research Insights, 2025).  

Bangladesh is now the second largest supplier of online labour in the world, with a 16% of the global online workforce, following India which has a 24 per cent share of the global online workforce (Oxford Internet Institute, 2017). Together, the informal and gig economies contribute approximately 43% to Bangladesh’s GDP (Khondkar, 2019). The platform economy in Bangladesh witnessed a 27% growth in 2021 which has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (The Business Standard, 2022). Despite these advancements in labour market, 85.1% of the workforce remains in the informal sector and they are marked by limited protections and high vulnerability (BBS, 2017).