Mapping of civil society demands for legislative proposal on platform workers

The Client is a think tank who mainly focus on democracy and human rights in Europe.

Digital platform work represents around 11% of the total EU workforce. Platform workers complete a task or service for an individual in exchange for a payment, and the exchange is intermediated by a digital labour platform, such as a delivery or transport platform. Platform workers have complained about precarious conditions and lack of fair wages, social insurance, and paid leave, as platforms characterise them as independent contractors rather than employees.

The Client approached AWO to conduct a study identifying stakeholder’s policy positions on platform workers and provide strategy recommendations.

The strategic research and insight team conducted research and interviews on platform work across dozens of stakeholders from industry, trade unions and workers’ associations, and civil society to identify and analyse policy positions on (1) employment status, (2) access to social protections, (3) working conditions, (4) automated decision-making systems, and (5) collective bargaining. Our final report covered areas of convergence and divergence, political insights, and recommendations to inform the Client’s policy strategy.