GET INTO THE RESEARCH!

Explore here to understand the research behind our three commitments!

In the Ethical Data Pledge, we make a clear distinction between Living Wages and national Minimum Wages. Unfortunately, minimum wages are rarely enough to sustain dignified livelihoods. A 2022 article in the FT highlights how minimum wages will not save the poorest from inflation, yet unfortunately remains a number most nations base their calculations on.

Based on research surrounding minimum wage and living wage calculations in India, we have determined that living wages for digital gig work (like data generation) should range from INR 110-264 per hour of work, depending on the complexity of the tasks.

This is 3-5x the current Indian Minimum wage which ranges from INR 180-287!

Unfortunately, outsourcing is a major issue in the global data ecosystem. Too often are the data companies that clients hire actually middle-men with no direct capacity to collect and curate required datasets. Instead, many data companies give their data tenders to the cheapest option - giving up control over quality and worker wages.

This does nothing more than extend the data value chain to accommodate these middle men, effectively cutting down on the available margins for data worker wages. Practices like outsourcing exacerbate the already low wages data workers receive.

That's why our second pledge commitment is to eliminate outsourcing practices - through cutting out the middle-men we can reinforce our first commitment of giving workers dignified living wages for their labour!

Investing in worker welfare is crucial for making data work ethical and dignified. Unfortunately, too many companies treat data workers without basic human respect, expecting them to work long hours each day in sub-optimal conditions. Because most of these workers are employed through a "gig economy" they are without unions and regulatory bodies to advocate for their needs.

Those taking the Pledge understand that one of the core ways we, as companies, can give back to data workers is by: (1) creating dignified working conditions, and (2) actively investing in technologies, products and services that bring the benefit of AI back to worker communities. Data workers, while contributing to ground-breaking technologies, rarely get to reap the benefits these provide. Bringing technologies and access to these communities is the first step in supporting livelihoods and ensuring future success.

Useful Resources:

LIVING WAGES:

WageIndicator.org
Global Living Wage Coalition
Barford et al., (2022), "The Case for Living Wages"
Trading Economics
Seubert, Hopfgartner & Glaser, (2021), "Living wages, decent work, and need satisfaction: an integrated perspective"
"A living wage increases economic productivity while reducing poverty – new report"

OUTSOURCING:

WORKER WELFARE: