By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Switzerland , June 13, 2026 - The International Labour Organization (ILO) has adopted a landmark global convention aimed at protecting workers in the rapidly expanding platform economy, marking the first international labour standard specifically designed for digital labour platforms.
The convention was adopted during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva after delegates from governments, employers and workers' organizations agreed on new rules to address the opportunities and challenges created by platform-based work.
The new treaty comes as digital labour platforms, including ride-hailing, delivery, freelance and online work platforms,continue to transform labour markets worldwide, creating new income opportunities while raising concerns about worker rights, social protection and job security.
The ILO said the convention seeks to promote decent work in the platform economy while recognizing the role of digital platforms in fostering entrepreneurship, business development and employment opportunities.
A key provision of the convention requires governments to ensure that platform workers are classified according to the actual nature of their working relationship rather than the labels assigned by companies.
The standard reinforces the principle that employment status should be determined by how work is performed in practice, a move expected to influence ongoing debates globally over whether platform workers should be treated as employees or independent contractors.
The convention obliges ratifying countries to ensure platform workers receive payment in full and on time and are protected by applicable minimum wage laws. It also requires reimbursement of work-related expenses where appropriate.
Labour experts say these provisions could significantly improve earnings security for millions of workers who depend on digital platforms for income.
For the first time in ILO history, an international labour convention directly addresses algorithmic management, the use of automated systems and artificial intelligence to monitor workers and make employment-related decisions.
Under the convention, digital labour platforms must inform workers and their representatives about how automated systems are used in monitoring and decision-making processes.
Workers must also be provided with written explanations and access to human review when automated systems affect decisions on pay, suspension, deactivation or termination.
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The requirement establishes a "human-in-the-loop" approach, ensuring that critical decisions affecting workers are not made solely by algorithms.
The convention seeks to address long-standing gaps in social protection for platform workers, who are often excluded from pension schemes, unemployment benefits and workplace injury compensation because they are classified as independent contractors.
Countries that ratify the convention will be required to establish measures that extend social protection coverage and occupational safety safeguards to platform workers.
The treaty also introduces protections against unjustified deactivation from digital platforms and unfair termination of employment.
The new standard guarantees platform workers fundamental labour rights, including freedom of association, collective bargaining and access to dispute-resolution mechanisms regardless of their employment classification.
It also contains provisions aimed at protecting workers' personal data and regulating how digital platforms collect and use information.
Despite its adoption, the convention will not automatically become law. Like all ILO conventions, it will only be binding on member states that formally ratify it and enact implementing legislation.
ILO member states are required to submit the convention to their national authorities within 12 months for consideration, but each country will decide independently whether to ratify it.
Observers expect ratification to vary across regions, potentially creating different regulatory frameworks for multinational platform companies operating in multiple countries.
The convention is nevertheless being hailed as a historic milestone, establishing the world's first comprehensive international framework for protecting workers in the digital platform economy while balancing innovation, business growth and labour rights.