Online web-based and location-based platforms have proliferated across several economic sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in remote working arrangements, further reinforcing the growth and impact of the digital economy. By connecting businesses and clients to workers, digital labour platforms are transforming labour processes, with major implications for the future of work. Whilst they could be a promising source of work opportunities, they also bring challenges.

Our keynote speaker, Mr Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, will present the roadmap for the upcoming EU initiative aimed at improving the working conditions of platform workers, and the consultation with the EU social partners.

On occasion of this event, we will launch the ILO World Employment and Social Outlook 2021, which studies how digital labour platforms are transforming the world of work, and the implications of that transformation for employers and workers. It draws on the findings of ILO surveys conducted among some 12,000 workers in 100 countries working on freelance, contest-based, competitive programming and microtask platforms, and in the taxi and delivery sectors. It also draws on interviews conducted with representatives of 70 businesses of different types, 16 platform companies and 14 platform worker associations in multiple sectors. 

Programme

Opening address by Mr Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

Expert views

• Ms Uma Rani, Senior Economist and main author of the ILO report World Employment and Social Outlook 2021: The role of digital labour platforms in transforming the world of work
• Ms Irene Mandl, Head of Unit Employment at Eurofound

Q&A with the audience

The event will be moderated by Ms Lieve Verboven, Director ILO-Brussels