Enhancing labour standards and protection measures for platform workers

Executive Summary 1. Introduction The development of information and communication technology through Internet since the early 2000s has led to the diffusion of digital innovations and rise of digital platforms. These innovations are leading to the proliferation of digital platforms in several sectors of the economy and transforming the world of work. While platform work provides income-generating opportunities, to workers especially migrants, women, persons with disabilities, among others, it can also raise challenges related to employment relationship, earnings, social security and working conditions. Many countries have also taken steps to ensure protection of platform workers in a changing labour paradigm. In this respect, the examples of legislative and policy responses in some countries are noteworthy . The proportion of workers is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, considering the pace and speed at which the platform economy is growing. It is therefore becoming increasingly important to map the impact of various legal and regulatory systems on decent work, employment opportunities and the needs of sustainable enterprises to support a holistic knowledge base for nationally driven policy options. In particular, with regard to challenges in new forms of work through the platform, the ILO Centenary Declaration (2019) highlighted the need to respond to challenges and opportunities in the world of work relating to the digital transformation of work, including platform work. 2. Objectives The project aims to enhance the policy knowledge of stakeholders to solve the challenges related to platform work, bearing in mind the opportunities created along with a deeper understanding of its nature. The increased knowledge of national governments and stakeholders with regards to the challenges and opportunities related to platform work can provide important starting points for policy discussions and reflections on platform work-related issues. This project also intends to increase the understanding of the diverse and multi-layered nature of platform work. The review and compilation of the different definitions of platform work in terms of employment would broaden the understanding of platform work among policymakers and stakeholders and vitalize various socio-economic discussions for legislative policy responses and statistical management of platform work. 3. Approaches The project analyses the various impacts of policy measures related to platform work and reviews alternative approaches taken to platform work including in relation to the employment status of platform workers. This endeavour is particularly important because while there have been many research reports on policy responses to platform work, studies that analyse the impact of policy change are relatively rare. In this respect, this project makes an effort to fill this gap by focusing on the analyses of the effects of policy measures introduced or implemented by some countries. It specifically explores the impacts on platform workers, the labour market and employment situation, enterprises and the platform business model. The analysis of the impacts of the policy measures includes what policies have changed, what changes are experienced by platform workers, and by platform companies, what is the impact on the labour market and the various responses. The project conducts a literature review and some surveys, which focuses on analysing the effects before and after implementation of the measures in about five target countries (e.g., France, UK, USA, Germany and Spain) which have developed specific measures for protecting platform workers. For the analysis of policy impact, researchers compile related policies using existing research data as much as possible and conduct a survey, to be conceptualised with the involvement of the social partners, facilitating input of platform workers and platform companies to analyse the practical effects of the policies. T

Project symbol

GLO/21/51/KOR

Admin unit

NORMES

Start date

01/07/2021

End date

31/12/2023

Total allocation

203170

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

187150

Development Partners

Republic of Korea, Ministry of Labour

Country/Countries

Global

Outcomes

Outcome 1: Strong, modernized normative action for social justice