A flexible job for a migrant worker | #speakup barometer | Colombia | DW | 20.02.2019
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#speakup barometer | Colombia

A flexible job for a migrant worker

Ordering food online is becoming increasingly commonplace in Bogotá. It is not only convenient for customers, but also creates easily accessible jobs for migrant workers.

In the past, Larry Salas sold sweets on public busses, as well as working other informal jobs. Today, the 30-year-old migrant from Venezuela works as a bike courier for the food delivery service "Rappi"  in Bogotá – a job that wouldn't exist without the Internet.

"In my private life I just use two apps –Facebook and WhatsApp – to communicate with my friends. The good thing is that you can use them even without having mobile data. Nevertheless, I try to never run out of data, because I need my smartphone mainly for work. The 4GB that are included in my monthly plan are normally enough, because I use a Wi-Fi connection whenever possible. Without mobile Internet, I couldn't do what I'm doing. I work as a bike courier for Rappi, a company that has established itself very quickly in Bogotá. I really like this job because you are your own boss. When I want to work, I just check the notifications for new orders on my phone. You always have to be careful that no one steals your phone, but I have been lucky. It's much safer here than in Venezuela, my home country, which I left two years ago because of the difficult situation there."

 

The #speakup barometer is a DW Akademie project that examines the connection between digital participation, freedom of expression and access to information. Learn more at www.dw.com/barometer