Against the backdrop of stringent labor regulations enforced by the government in Lebanon, the opportunity to engage in digital work is extremely valuable. Unemployment is widespread among refugees, even those of us with higher education qualifications, and the data annotation training programs provided by Humans in the Loop represent crucial employment opportunities. Nevertheless, the workload and income I receive as a data annotator are characterized by their irregularity. 

As a co-researcher in the Data Worker’s Inquiry, I conducted a series of interviews with my data labeling team to delve deeper into the experiences of other data workers, exploring the psychological toll of the work, satisfaction with compensation, obstacles to achieving work-life balance, and avenues for support from recruitment agencies. 

A  major finding is a pervasive dissatisfaction with wages. The absence of stable monthly projects exacerbates financial uncertainty, as evidenced by testimonies from refugee workers reliant on sporadic assignments. Challenges encountered in accessing mainstream remote work platforms further compound these difficulties, as Lebanese regulations prevent refugees from having bank accounts, which serves as a barrier to entering the local labor market. These circumstances heavily burden data workers‘ mental health. Lastly, this report articulates a plea from refugees in the data sector for support and recognition. Despite their limitless potential, refugees need investment and assistance to navigate the complexities of remote work.