The International Labour Organization adopts the first global standards for platform workers
On 12 June 2026, the International Labour Organization adopted the first international convention on platform work (C193).
The adoption comes against the backdrop of increasing international focus on working conditions in the platform economy and a growing number of platform workers, which the World Bank estimates to be between 154 and 435 million people globally.
The convention aims to strengthen protections for individuals performing work via digital platforms, including in the transport and delivery sectors.
The convention recognizes that platform workers may be either employees or self-employed. At the same time, it establishes for the first time a set of fundamental protective rules that apply regardless of the specific employment law classification. However, the standards must be ratified and implemented by individual member states before they become legally binding at national level.
New minimum rights and rules on algorithmic management
The new convention includes provisions on occupational health and safety, minimum remuneration, and protection against unfair dismissal or deactivation from digital platforms.
It also introduces the first international rules on algorithmic management, requiring platforms, among other things, to ensure transparency regarding how automated systems are used to manage pay and access to work assignments.
Littler notes
The adoption of the convention reflects the growing international regulation of platform work and increasing attention to the use of algorithmic management tools.
It is the first time that the ILO has adopted international minimum standards that, to some extent, apply regardless of whether a platform worker is classified as an employee or self-employed. At the same time, the convention marks the first international regulatory framework on algorithmic management, including requirements for transparency in automated decision-making systems and the possibility of human review of certain decisions.
Although the convention only becomes legally binding after ratification and implementation in individual member states, it is expected to influence the continued development of national regulations on platform work as well as broader rules governing automated decision-making systems in the workplace.
Littler | Denmark closely follows developments in this area. If you would like to discuss the implications of the new convention or the implementation of these standards in practice, please do not hesitate to contact our team.
References:
- https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/un-labour-organization-adopts-convention-set-employment-standards-gig-workers-2026-06-12/
- https://www.bhrrc.org/en/latest-news/global-ilo-adopts-historic-binding-international-employment-standards-for-platform-workers-protecting-millions/
- https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/2026-06/ILC114-CNP-D4-Final%20text-EN.pdf
