Remotasks, a global micro-tasking platform, has abruptly discontinued its services in Kenya, leaving many users without a source of income.
The platform played a significant role in providing remote work opportunities, contributing to the economy, and fostering skills development in the country.
Remotasks, a renowned micro-tasking platform, has ceased its operations in Kenya, sending shockwaves among its users. The company notified Kenyan users via email about the immediate discontinuation of its services in the country, resulting in users being off-boarded from their ongoing projects.
The platform, known for offering tasks such as image annotation, data entry, and language translation services, provided a lifeline for many Kenyans seeking remote work opportunities. It offered flexible work arrangements, enabling individuals, including those in rural areas with limited job prospects, to earn income remotely.
Remotasks made a significant economic contribution to Kenya by empowering people to work from home, thereby reducing unemployment rates and providing supplementary income. Moreover, it served as a platform for skills development and integration into the digital economy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote work became essential for business continuity.
The sudden cessation of Remotasks’ services has immediate implications, leading to income loss for current users who relied on the platform for their daily earnings. Despite receiving recognition from President William Ruto for its success stories, concerns about the platform’s visibility and potential scrutiny have been raised by some Kenyans.
While Remotasks has been a valuable resource for many, its closure underscores the need for alternative opportunities in Kenya’s gig economy, leaving users in search of new avenues for remote work and income generation.