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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Denmark
The Sharing Economy Councilwas established in 2018 by the Danish government, and is jointly commissioned by the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, the Ministry of Employment and Ministry of Taxation.
Working together with the representatives from platform companies, social partners, experts and consumers, the council aims to stimulate growth of the platform economy and ensure fair employment conditions and the access to social protection for platform workers.
The Council was established in response to the growing platform economy in Denmark. As the terms of reference for the Council note, between 2014 and 2017 the number of digital platforms operating in the country increased from 10 to more than 140. The establishment of the Council is part of a broader set of initiatives included in an agreement named ‘Better conditions for growth and correct tax payment in the sharing and platform economy.’
Scope of the initiative The main purpose of the Council is to facilitate dialogue and the development of the sharing economy in Denmark. The Council also provides advice to the Danish Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs on the development of platform economy, including on how new forms of employment impact on the Danish labour market. Furthermore, the Council can recommend specific policy actions or regulations that contribute to the proper functioning of the platform economy. The Council is to provide its recommendations to the minister once a year. While working conditions were not initially an area within its remit, as of 2019 it has also focused on this aspect in its work.
Scale of the initiative The 15 members of the council are from diverse backgrounds. Members represent either unions (for example, Fagbevægelsens Hovedorganisation and Akademikerne), employer organisations (for example, Dansk Industri and Dansk Erhvev) consumer organisations (for example, Forbrugerrådet Tænk) or platform companies (for example, GoMore, Worksome and Hilfr). Additionally, the Council also includes two members from the scientific community.
Strengths and weaknesses The Council has facilitated discussions around the challenges raised by platform work in Denmark. However, its work has not resulted in specific policy proposals.
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.
