The Growth of Online Freelancing in Bangladesh: Economic Integration and Labor Vulnerability

This paper discusses the fast growth of online freelancing in Bangladesh, its contribution to economic development, labor structure, and integration into global value chains. The freelance platforms give access to international markets, thus opening new opportunities for IT, design, and creative work. While these platforms are contributing to economic growth and GVC participation, they also increase labor vulnerability through income instability, job insecurity, and lack of social protection. The research underlines the exploitative nature of freelancing in Bangladesh, drawing on World Systems Theory and critiques of neoliberalism, especially in comparison with developed economies where higher wages and better protection of workers are expected. This paper adopts an analytical approach based on the analysis of economic reports, case studies, and theoretical frameworks to address the following questions: “What are the contributions of freelancing to Bangladesh’s economic development, employment structure, and integration into global value chains (GVCs)?†and “What are the consequences of freelancing for the lives and working conditions of Bangladeshi freelancers?†The paper argues that while freelancing presents enormous economic opportunities, it also produces labor vulnerabilities that need policy reforms. The findings advocate for enhanced protections and regulatory frameworks for fair wages, social security, and career stability for freelancers in particular, with special reference to the developing economy of Bangladesh. This paper contributes to debates being carried out on the themes of globalization and labor conditions in the Global South.