The International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the first-ever international treaty aimed at protecting workers in the gig economy during a meeting on Friday in Geneva. The Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention is designed to extend labor protections to hundreds of millions of digital platform workers worldwide engaged in sectors such as food delivery, ride-hailing, and other app-based services.

According to the convention’s text, the agreement applies to all digital labor platforms and workers, regardless of whether they operate within the formal or informal economy. The treaty addresses challenges arising from rapid changes in the nature of work; a 2023 World Bank report estimated that approximately 435 million gig workers globally had largely been excluded from traditional labor rights and social protections.

Digital platforms typically classify these workers as independent contractors, despite exerting significant control through algorithms that assign tasks, set pay, monitor performance, and terminate engagements. This classification often excludes workers from protections like minimum wage laws, occupational safety standards, and access to social security benefits.

“The ILO now has the first convention that focuses on the impact of digitalization in the world of work,” said ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo. Representatives from Brazil emphasized the potential positive impact, noting that around two million workers in their country could benefit through enhanced opportunities, dignity, and autonomy.

However, some countries expressed reservations about a one-size-fits-all approach. Delegates from the United States, India, and Bangladesh underscored the need for flexibility given the rapidly evolving gig economy. The U.S. representative, Lorenzo Riboni, cautioned against prescriptive regulations, highlighting the entrepreneurial nature of independent contracting in America. “Independent contractors control their own work and lean into an entrepreneurial spirit that makes America great,” he stated.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) welcomed the convention as a significant milestone toward ensuring gig workers enjoy fundamental rights and protections. Nonetheless, ITUC political director Jeroen Beirnaert pointed out that the treaty permits countries to exclude certain worker categories from its provisions under limited conditions, which could potentially leave some workers without coverage. He urged governments to ratify the treaty swiftly to build a future of work grounded in rights rather than precarious employment.

Once ratified by at least two countries, the convention will enter into force 12 months after national ratifications. Key provisions include guaranteeing fair pay and social security benefits comparable to those available to other workers in similar employment categories, as well as requiring platforms to provide clear, verifiable information about employment terms.

Human Rights Watch also highlighted the significance of the treaty, with senior economic justice advisor Lena Simet noting that platform companies have historically structured their business models to avoid labor protections, passing risks and costs onto workers.

The adoption of the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention marks a pivotal step for global labor standards amid the growing prominence of digital platform work, aiming to reconcile technological advances with fundamental worker rights.