A convention that almost did not happen

The platform economy has grown into a workforce that the World Bank estimates at between 154 and 435 million people. Yet for most, the introduction of an app into the work arrangement has functioned as a near-automatic exclusion from labor protection. The model has ‘succeeded’ on the basis of the systematic misclassification of workers as independent contractors, the means by which platforms shed their obligations to respect the minimum-wage, contribute to social security, and respect fundamental rights such as non-discrimination and the rights to organize and bargain collectively. At the same time, algorithmic systems exercise management control over pay rates and task allocation, and decisions related to suspension or deactivation, with none of the accountability of a traditional employer.

In recent years, courts around the world have stepped in and, in most cases, have rectified misclassification. Governments have experimented with regulation to cover at least some workers in the platform economy, with some recognizing workers as employees, others extending some rights and benefits but retaining the self-employed classification and others creating a third category. Into this landscape, the ILO dedicated a tripartite expert meeting on platform work in October 2022. Unusually, the meeting ended without conclusions amid strong employer opposition and an eventual late-night walkout.

In 2023, a decision was taken by the ILO Governing...

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