The rise of freelance writing platforms has brought opportunities for millions of people worldwide, especially in developing nations like Kenya, where many individuals are looking for ways to earn a living through online work. Among the most common freelance jobs is academic writing, which involves writing essays, research papers, and dissertations for students worldwide. While this sector offers economic promise, Kenyan writers have found themselves at the receiving end of systemic exploitation. Despite their growing prominence in global freelancing, Kenyan writers face low wages, poor working conditions, and a lack of fair compensation. This article explores how Kenyan writers are being exploited in the freelancing industry, the factors contributing to this issue, and ho to address the problem.
The Rise of Freelancing in Kenya
Over the past decade, Kenya has become a hub for freelance writers, particularly in academic writing. The country is home to a highly educated, young, and tech-savvy workforce that increasingly turns to freelancing platforms to find work. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and academic writing-specific platforms like EssayPro, Writershub, Edusson, EssayShark, and Writerbay have made it easier than ever for Kenyan writers to find clients from all over the world.
Academic writing, in particular, has been one of the most popular freelance sectors in Kenya. Many Kenyan writers, especially those with strong academic backgrounds, view freelancing as a way to leverage their knowledge and earn a decent income. However, the reality is often different. While the opportunities are vast, the compensation is far from equitable. Despite being highly skilled, Kenyan writers frequently receive substandard pay, leading to a situation of exploitation that is only growing worse as demand for cheap labor increases.
Factors Contributing to the Exploitation of Kenyan Writers
1. Global Competition and Price Underbidding
One of the main factors behind the exploitation of Kenyan writers is the global competition in the freelance industry. The internet has created a worldwide marketplace for freelance services, and writers from countries with lower living costs, such as Kenya, India, and the Philippines, often find themselves competing with one another for low-paying jobs.
Many platforms operate on a race-to-the-bottom model, where the lowest bid wins the contract. Writers are forced to undercut each other to secure work, which further drives down the rates. For example, while a writer in the United States or the United Kingdom might charge $20-$30 per page for academic writing, Kenyan writers are often willing to accept as little as $2-$10 per page simply because the cost of living in Kenya is much lower.
Unfortunately, this pricing disparity has led to the devaluation of writing as a profession in Kenya. What is viewed as a skilled and labor-intensive job globally is considered a low-wage job in Kenya. As a result, Kenyan writers are forced to take on more work to make ends meet, leading to burnout and job dissatisfaction.
2. Platform Fees and Commission Charges
Another significant issue contributing to the exploitation of Kenyan writers is the high platform fees and commission charges imposed by freelance websites. Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and others take a significant portion of each payment (typically 20% or more), leaving writers with little to show for their hard work.
For example, a Kenyan writer who charges $10 per page may find that after platform fees and commissions, they are left with only $3-$6 for their work. This percentage is often seen as acceptable in Western countries, but for Kenyan writers trying to live off these earnings, it can be crippling. The amount taken by the platform is often disproportionately high compared to the wages they are being paid for their writing.
Additionally, many of these platforms provide little in terms of job security or long-term contracts. Writers frequently face periods of low activity, which make it difficult to maintain a stable income. The constant uncertainty about the next paycheck, coupled with low rates, contributes to the vulnerability of freelance writers in Kenya.
3. Lack of Regulatory Standards
The absence of industry regulations in the freelance writing market is another key factor contributing to the exploitation of Kenyan writers. Unlike other professions, where minimum wage laws and labor regulations exist to protect workers, the freelance sector operates in a largely unregulated space. This allows companies and clients to set their own payment terms, often without consideration for the writers’ labor.
For example, some academic writing agencies and platforms set arbitrary and often unrealistically low rates for writing assignments, without any regard for the writer’s experience or the complexity of the task. In addition to low pay, some agencies may impose tight deadlines or add extra work without raising the agreed-upon price.
In a regulated market, there would likely be minimum pay rates for writers, protections against unfair practices, and clear terms for pay. Unfortunately, the lack of these regulations means that writers in Kenya and other developing nations are left vulnerable to exploitation by agencies, platforms, and even individual clients.
4. Exploitation by Academic Writing Agencies
While many freelance writers rely on academic writing platforms to find work, a significant number also work through academic writing agencies. These agencies act as middlemen, connecting students with freelance writers, and taking a large cut of the payment. In some cases, students are charged exorbitant fees for academic papers, but the writers themselves only receive a small fraction of what the students have paid.
For example, a student may pay $100 or more for a research paper, but the writer may only see $10-$30 for the same paper. The difference is pocketed by the agency. This model of exploitation means that the writer does all the work, but the agency reaps the profits, leaving the writer with minimal compensation.
Some agencies also impose strict penalties on writers for missing deadlines, even when those deadlines are unreasonable or set without proper communication. Writers are often penalized without the ability to negotiate or appeal, leading to financial instability and stress.
5. Cultural Perception and Underestimation of Writing as a Profession
In Kenya, writing is often not viewed as a legitimate career in the same way it might be in Western countries. Many people still perceive writing as something that can be done by anyone and require little expertise. As a result, writers in Kenya are often undervalued and underpaid because their services are perceived as less valuable compared to other professions.
This cultural perception, coupled with the lack of regulation in the freelance writing industry, has led to an environment where writers are taken for granted, and their work is not adequately compensated. The exploitation of Kenyan writers is, in part, a reflection of how their skills and expertise are viewed both locally and globally.
The Consequences of Exploitation
The exploitation of Kenyan writers in the freelance academic writing industry has several significant consequences, both for the writers themselves and for the industry as a whole:
- Burnout and Mental Health Issues: The constant pressure to work long hours for low pay leads to burnout. Many Kenyan writers experience mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression, as they struggle to meet unrealistic expectations and tight deadlines.
- Declining Quality of Work: As writers face increasing pressure to complete tasks quickly and for low pay, the quality of the work suffers. This creates a cycle where poor work leads to negative reviews, making it even harder for writers to secure high-paying jobs in the future.
- Financial Instability: Many Kenyan writers live paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet due to their low earnings. Without job security, stable pay, or benefits, writers find themselves financially unstable and unable to plan for the future.
- Loss of Talent: The combination of poor pay, long hours, and unstable work leads many talented Kenyan writers to leave the industry altogether. This brain drain means that the country loses some of its most skilled writers, who could contribute to other areas of economic development.
What Can Be Done to Address the Issue?
To address the exploitation of Kenyan writers, several measures need to be implemented:
- Fairer Compensation Models: Freelance platforms and academic writing agencies should implement fairer payment models that provide writers with compensation that reflects the time, effort, and expertise required for each project.
- Industry Regulation: There is a need for minimum wage laws or industry standards for freelance writing, particularly in the academic writing sector. These regulations would ensure that writers are paid a fair rate and that their rights are protected.
- Awareness and Education: Writers need to be more aware of their rights and the true value of their work. Educational campaigns can help Kenyan writers understand that they are highly skilled professionals and should not accept exploitation.
- Stronger Client Protections: Freelance platforms and agencies should offer better protections for writers, such as clearer contracts, dispute resolution mechanisms, and fair pay practices.
Writer’s Thoughts
The exploitation of Kenyan writers is a growing issue in the freelancing industry. While many writers in Kenya possess exceptional skills and contribute significantly to the global freelance market, they are often undervalued, underpaid, and exploited by agencies, platforms, and clients. This exploitation not only affects the writers’ financial stability and mental health but also has long-term consequences for the industry as a whole.
