Kormo: An online marketplace for informal jobs

Catering primarily to the informal job market, Google's Area 120 incubator has launched Kormo, an app intended to connect job seekers with employers.

Kormo is different from other available job listing or matching sites, as it creates a persistent connection with the user and takes responsibility for job fulfillment beyond the initial job matching phase.

Services provided by the app include tracking interview attendance, successful selections, certification, and job experience accumulation. Over time, the app automatically builds up a user's career CV based on completed jobs and skill development.

“With 86% of the labor force employed in the informal job sector, we believe there's room to innovate. As such, we have been testing out Kormo in Dhaka since mid-2017,” said Bickey Russell, project lead of Kormo, at a knowledge sharing session held at Dhaka's Pier 138 yesterday.

He explained that by using the app, they had been able to fulfill more than 21,000 jobs and serve over 1,000 employers who were looking to improve the way they recruit.

In a presentation explaining Kormo's function and design, Bickey further said that the app pairs candidates with available jobs based on a “best match” model, using machine learning.

The app also provides a two-way rating system for employers and employees. 

Speaking at the session, Director of Communication and Outreach at Brac and Brac International, Moutushi Kabir, said an inclusive, transparent, and competitive digital marketplace like Kormo will enhance access to jobs and provide opportunities for Bangladeshi youths, especially women.

“Education, skills, and the job market need to be closely aligned, in order to create effective pathways out of poverty, unemployment, and discrimination,” added Moutushi, explaining that education needs to translate into employable skills and those skills need to translate into jobs.

Over time, Kormo aims to provide structure and metrics to the informal job market, while generating economic opportunity for everyone. 

The Kormo app is available on Android via the Google Playstore, and currently only provides its services in Dhaka.

Using the app, job seekers can sign up, create their CVs, and be matched to potential jobs. Additionally, Kormo provides learning content for skill and personal development.