Platform workers gain international labor law protection with new ILO standard

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has adopted its first binding international labor standard aimed at protecting platform workers, a significant move that could reshape labor laws globally. This new standard extends crucial protections concerning wages, safety, and social security to individuals working in the gig economy, including delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, and e-commerce participants.

Adopted by ILO member states with a substantial majority of 406 votes in favor, 8 against, and 36 abstentions, the agreement signifies a global effort to bring platform workers under the umbrella of international labor law. Previously, regulations for platform work varied widely across different countries.

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Delivery, ride-hailing, and e-commerce workers' wages, safety, and social security will be expanded.

A key provision of the new standard requires platform companies to be transparent about the algorithms they use for assigning work, evaluating performance, and determining pay. Furthermore, the agreement stipulates that human oversight must be involved in decisions to suspend or deactivate a worker's account, preventing arbitrary dismissals based solely on automated systems.

While this represents a landmark achievement in establishing an international framework for platform worker protection, it does not fully resolve the ongoing debate about their legal status. The extent to which certain rights, like wages and social security, are applied may still depend on whether platform workers are classified as self-employed or as employees within individual countries. Nevertheless, the ILO's decision is expected to serve as a major reference point for national legislation and policy-making concerning the gig economy moving forward.

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Algorithm disclosure... Account suspension requires human review.