Connecting without Protecting

The global spread of online work opportunities has inspired a new generation market-based aid that connects forcibly displaced people to transnational internet economy. Because refugees face barriers making livelihood online, organisations and private enterprises support them by building bridges across digital divides, connectivity problems or skill gaps. They thereby become intermediaries brokers facilitate connections between income opportunities, which often lack decent working conditions adequate protections. initiatives the power reshape these value in economy, they fail mediators with transformative impact. result is economy reshapes livelihoods provision far more than can its disempowering effects, despite successes driving forward refugees’ inclusion. Based on three years research including interviews, field visits surveys, this article foregrounds current risks from inclusion into precarious forms gig work. To ensure future for push will require an equally strong stronger protections, inclusive regulations rights.