Micro-jobbing platform M4JAM has launched life cover for gig workers in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The insurance, which is backed by Shomang Insurance Brokers and Bryte Insurance, offers accident cover for all location-based jobs sourced through the M4JAM platform.
The policy takes effect every time a job is accepted on the platform.
According to M4JAM, this is a first for the South African gig economy and each jobber is covered from acceptance of the job to 8pm the same day, which allows for an hour grace period to commute back home.
Jobbers fall under several classifications: employed jobbers, survivor jobbers and master jobbers, who earn anything from a few hundred rand a month to R8 000 per month.
Job descriptions range from marketing and branding services, to doing mapping and distribution services, to monitoring and evaluation of consumer goods in informal merchant stores.
“The insurance policy covers accidental death, permanent disablement, medical emergency, disappearance and other potential costs,” says M4JAM.
M4JAM says it launched the policy because temporary, freelance and contract workers have borne the brunt of ballooning unemployment in the wake of COVID-19.
“We have done all we can to cushion our registered jobbers from the impact of COVID-19 through providing financial assistance and personal protection assistance, and now we are ensuring no jobber has to bear the burden of injuries while completing tasks coordinated by the platform. We are both excited and proud to be announcing this innovation in South Africa,” says Georgie Midgley, M4JAM CEO.
“For years, temporary and contract work has been seen as the poor relation of permanent employment because of the lack of employee benefits. We are quickly moving towards a situation where jobbers can feel comfortable and safe accepting tasks because they know they are backed up by our fair work practices and policies.
“This is a major step in securing the rights of temporary workers and their beneficiaries, and is a great drawcard for the gig economy as a viable alternative to permanent employment in a country that has struggled so desperately with unemployment.”
M4JAM has been on a growth trajectory over the last three years, reaching 320 000 local registered jobbers, with plans to expand beyond South African boarders.
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