Platform economy database
Database of initiatives and court cases in the EU
Eurofound’s platform economy database provides information on 452 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 2026 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 452 entries and was last updated in February 2026.
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Italy
In February 2026, the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office, led by Prosecutor Paolo Storari, intervened in the operations of Deliveroo Italy. The court availed itlself of Article 34 of the Italian Anti-Mafia Code, a preventive measure typically applied to businesses suspected of being influenced by criminal activity or, as in this case, systemic labour exploitation.
The core of the prosecution’s argument rests on Art. 603-bis of the Penal Code, which criminalises "caporalato", typically referring to the unlawful intermediation and exploitation of labour. While traditionally associated with agricultural gangmasters, the concept has been adapted to account for a system of labour exploitation in the digital economy,
This measure follows a similar recent order against Glovo. The court appointed a judicial administrator to oversee the company after investigators found that Deliveroo Italy paid approximately 23,000 riders wages significantly below the poverty line and established collective bargaining agreements.
Testimony from over 50 riders, many of whom are foreign nationals, indicates that earnings per delivery ranged from 3 to 5 euros. Prosecutors noted that these workers often exceeded standard weekly hours but failed to earn a net annual income above the poverty threshold. The investigation describes these practices as "genuine labour exploitation" that persisted for several years. Deliveroo is currently reviewing the documentation and has stated its intention to cooperate with the authorities.
This case is part of a broader legal effort to regulate the gig economy in Italy. In 2021, courts ordered Deliveroo, Glovo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat to regularise the status of 60,000 riders and pay fines. Last week, the Milan tribunal specifically ordered Glovo’s Italian unit to regularise its 40,000 riders.
The actions in Milan reflect ongoing national efforts to enforce labour standards to comply with the Platform Work Directive
The Milan court applied an "innovative principle" asserting that regardless of whether a rider is classified as an employee or self-employed, they possess a constitutional right to fair pay under Article 36 of the Italian Constitution.
This intervention is the latest in a series of actions targeting the sector:
2021: Major platforms (Glovo, Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo) were ordered to extend employment guarantees to 60,000 riders.
2022–2023: Investigations uncovered "digital caporalato," where accounts were illicitly traded or rented, often using false documents.
July 2025: Authorities investigated safety violations related to extreme heat exposure after a platform encouraged riders to work during high temperatures in exchange for bonuses.
February 2026: Similar judicial control was imposed on Foodinho (Glovo).
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.
