Informal freelancers in the time of COVID-19: Insights from a digital matching platform in Mozambique

Despite the severe negative economic shock associated with COVID-19 pandemic, evidence from many contexts points to a surge in sales on online platforms, as well shifts composition of demand. This paper investigates how pandemic has affected both supply and demand for informal manual freelancers Mozambique. Using data digital labour marketplace Biscate, we quantify dynamics along four main dimensions: responses infection rates, official restrictions activity, changes workplace mobility, employment conditions. Overall, find positive effects growth workers, which add up zero net effect average. However, side, contact rate task agreement increased by around 50 per cent versus ‘no shock’ counterfactual. These findings underline sector plays valuable shock-absorbing role that marketplaces can facilitate adjustments shocks. Note: A revised version this is available here.