The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has adopted the first international labour standard for work conducted through digital platforms.
The new standard, the “Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026,” officially took effect on Friday during the closing of the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Platform workers are individuals earning income through digital platforms or apps that connect them with customers, such as Uber or Bolt drivers.
The adoption of the convention will strengthen labor protections for Uber, Bolt, and other platform drivers worldwide. It establishes decent work standards for digital platform workers.
According to an ILO statement, the new instrument responds to the rapid growth of the platform economy. The organisation noted that while the platform economy has created income opportunities globally, it has also exposed workers to significant decent work challenges.
“The Convention applies to digital labour platforms and platform workers, regardless of their employment status, and provides a global framework to promote decent work in this expanding sector.
“It addresses key issues such as fundamental rights at work, protection against violence and harassment, fair pay, social protection, and occupational safety and health.
“The Convention also safeguards the use of algorithms and automated decision-making systems, requiring greater transparency and accountability in digital labour practices,” the ILO stated.
The organisation described the Convention as a historic milestone, reflecting the commitment of governments, employers, and workers to fair treatment in evolving workplaces.
“This Convention marks a significant step toward a fair, inclusive future of work grounded in social justice for millions of platform workers worldwide,” the ILO added.
The convention aims to balance innovation with the protection of workers’ rights and decent working conditions.
“The adoption demonstrates the determination of ILO members to ensure that technological progress benefits both businesses and workers,” the organisation said.
The ILO stated that the new standard will help member states enhance labor protections while fostering sustainable growth and innovation in the digital economy.
Observers at the conference described the adoption as one of the most important labour policy developments in recent years.
They noted that the convention would support the rapid expansion of gig and platform-based work globally.
The ILO conference, which ran from June 1 to June 12, was attended by governments, employers, workers, and delegates from the ILO’s 187 member states.
