ILO Adopts Gig Worker Treaty

The International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, the first international agreement to establish binding employment standards for digital platform workers in the gig economy. This convention aims to extend labor protections, including fair pay, workplace safety, and access to social security, to hundreds of millions of gig workers worldwide who are often classified as independent contractors. While many countries, including Brazil, China, Japan, Germany, France, and South Africa, voted in favor, the United States and New Zealand voted against, and India and the United Kingdom abstained, citing concerns about flexibility and innovation. The convention also addresses algorithmic management, requiring platforms to disclose how automated systems affect workers. Although the ILO has no direct enforcement power, ratification by member states will allow individuals to seek legal redress against platform companies.