Benue State University, Makurdi

Digital Platform Work: A Transformation of Traditional Employment Relations in Nigeria

Jane-Frances Terdoo Yagba*

Abstract

Digital Platform work is gradually transforming the nature of employment in Nigeria. It involves the use of applications and websites in delivering goods and services. The digital platforms are devised for on location services (transportation and delivery services, household and personal services) and digital services (cloud based work and data entries). The usual pattern is for companies to enter into contracts with persons who are readily available to deliver the goods and services upon demand. The focus of this work is on digital platforms work that render on location services; that connect demand and supply of goods and services and its effect on the existing state of labour/employment in Nigeria. With the use of doctrinal method of research, it was found that persons are engaged to supply the services and the transaction is sealed by a supply agreement. There is no regulatory framework for platform work in Nigeria. The status of platform workers is unknown and there is likelihood of the court to rely on Shena due to the peculiar nature of platform work. It was also found that platform workers face same challenges and risk with workers in traditional employment yet they have no legal protection. It was recommended that, laws should be enacted to regulate platform work and existing laws should be amended to provide legal protection to platform workers. In addition, the court should look beyond Shena to keep up with emerging forms of employment in Nigeria.

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