Platform economy database
Database of initiatives and court cases in the EU
Eurofound’s platform economy database provides information on 397 initiatives and court cases that exist or have been implemented in relation to activities in the platform economy. The database was last updated in November 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 397 entries and was last updated in November 2024.
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Italy
Sindacato-Networkersis one of the first trade union platforms targeting ICT professionals and employees in the services sector and platform workers. Sindacato-Networkers offers a series of services including individual online advice on work-related problems, such as the help with fiscal matters. On the website, there is a separate section on the platform economy specially designed for riders. It offers legal assistance and assistance related to tax obligations, and above all trade union representation vis-à-vis the different platforms. Another section on labour rights includes a forum offering free counselling. In 2017, Sindacato-Networkers launched a permanent observatory. Through a detailed survey addressed at workers in the platform economy, the observatory collects data and information on platform work in Italy and drafts regular reports. During the COVID-19 crisis, Sindacato-Networkers supported riders through dedicated information and by denouncing situations where they were put at risk.
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.
