Exploring microwork opportunities through cybercafés

Microwork in cybercafés is a promising tool for poverty alleviation. Using experiments in three cafes in Pune, India, and two cafes in Nairobi, Kenya, we investigate questions of practical feasibility. In surveys, 99% of potential workers do want the work. In addition, measured typing speeds support pay rates several times the local median pay. We additionally compared typing speeds on mobile phones and computers, finding that even inexperienced users are faster using computers.