In a significant push for the labor market, a coalition of 33 civil society organizations, trade unions, and human rights entities has made an urgent appeal for a new treaty that would safeguard the rights of “gig” workers on a global scale. In a call to action delivered at the 113th session of the International Labor Conference (ILC), these groups are advocating for comprehensive labor protections embedded within international law.
The coalition, comprising organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Privacy International, has articulated specific concerns regarding the operational models of platform companies. Their statement draws attention to several pressing issues, including low wages, inadequate social protections, and the opaque use of algorithms that manage and control workers’ activities in non-transparent ways. The joint statement calls for effective grievance mechanisms for workers, the recognition of waiting periods as paid working hours, and the correct classification of workers to prevent the mislabeling of employees as independent contractors.
Isabel Ortiz, director of Global Social Justice, explained the precarious situation facing gig workers, stating, “Platform workers face insecurity, low pay, and are excluded from social security while companies make billions.” Ortiz emphasized that binding standards from the International Labor Organization (ILO) are essential to ensure the creation of decent jobs and social security inclusion. Echoing these sentiments, she noted, “Some countries have shown it can be done; now it must happen everywhere.”
This plea from rights groups follows significant judicial actions globally, such as the 2022 decision by Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court, where Uber drivers were ruled to be employees entitled to full benefits under Swiss law (decision), setting a precedent for worker classification.
Currently, international legal frameworks do not explicitly cover platform workers. However, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights implicitly supports just working conditions and fair remuneration, as stated in Articles 23 and 24. Recent findings from a 2021 Pew Research Centre poll illustrate the significance of gig work, revealing that it serves as the main income source for a large fraction of workers. Many face precarious circumstances, often earning below minimum wage and living in a state of insecurity regarding continued work.
As discussions continue at the ILC session, the push for concrete international standards to protect gig workers remains a crucial topic. The hope is for unified and actionable outcomes that can address disparities and offer reliable protections to those engaged in gig work worldwide. For further details, one can refer to the original report.