Platform economy database
Database of initiatives and court cases in the EU
Eurofound’s platform economy database provides information on 386 initiatives and court cases that exist or have been implemented in relation to activities in the platform economy. The database was last updated in February 2024 and provides metadata for each entry, such as geographical scope, year, type of initiative, actors involved, sector and companies concerned. Initiatives include legal instruments such as legislative changes or court decisions, as well as voluntary interventions undertaken by different stakeholders to address issues around platform work.
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The database currently contains 386 entries and was last updated in February 2024.
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Italy
Casa del Rider is a local initiative implemented in the context of the project ‘New jobs new protections’ stemming from the collaboration between the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), the CGIL trade union and the Napoli Pedala association.
The main goal of the project is to improve the working conditions of workers in the delivery sector by providing access to information on issues of workplace safety and specifically with regards to accident prevention and health and safety regulations. The project also aims to inform the broader public as well as local and regional institutions on the issue of road safety.
As part of the initiatives supported by the project the Rider’s House was established as a physical hub equipped with a charging area for electric bikes, backpack storage, notice board and relaxation areas. Furthermore, at the Rider’s House, bike maintenance courses and information seminars are held on the correct posture when using it and safe cycling in an urban environment.
The project also involves the creation of a ‘safety kit’ available to workers which will contain information materials relating to health and safety at work and personal protective equipment (masks, reflective bibs, bike maintenance equipment, etc.).
The following recent changes to this initiative have been recorded.
Following the success of the initiative in Napoli, another Rider’s House was opened in Palermo in September 2023. The Palermo hub is located in a multifunctional space that is spread over floors an includes spaces for remote study and work, social services, training courses, activities related to music, the arts, the environment, childhood and well-being, a bar and a kitchen. A hostel is planned to be built by the end of 2024.
The platform economy is one of those moving targets, which, despite receiving increasing media and policy attention, has proven difficult to regulate. Given the heterogeneity of employment relationships, business models, types of platform work and cross-border issues, this is not surprising.
Technological change is accelerating as the capacity of electronic devices to digitally store, process and communicate information expands. Digitalisation is transforming the EU economy and labour markets: nearly one-third of EU workplaces are categorised as highly digitalised. What are the implications of the digital revolution for employment and work?
The rapid rise of the platform economy has led to a marked transformation of European labour markets, and existing regulatory frameworks and voluntary initiatives have yet to catch up. While platform work offers opportunities for workers and employers and potentially contributes to innovation, economic growth and competitiveness in the EU, it has been criticised from the beginning because of the poor employment and working conditions often experienced by workers.
While 2020 may come to be seen as the year platform work gathered pace and started to go mainstream – thanks in large part to COVID-19 containment measures sparking an increase in food and grocery delivery – 2021 could be the year that regulation of platform work is set in motion.
