The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has adopted the world’s first international labour standard for people working through digital platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and other app-based services, a move expected to strengthen labourprotections for millions of platform workers worldwide.
The new standard, known as the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026, was adopted on Friday during the closing session of the 114th International LabourConference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland. According to the ILO, the convention establishes global rules designed to promote fair treatment, improve working conditions, and strengthen labour rights across the rapidly expanding platform economy.
In a statement announcing the adoption, the organisation said the convention was developed in response to the rapid growth of digital labour platforms, which have created new income opportunities while exposing workers to challenges relating to pay, safety, social protection, and job security.
Platform workers are individuals who earn income through digital applications and online platforms that connect them with customers seeking services or tasks, including ride-hailing drivers operating through companies such as Uber and Bolt.
According to the ILO, the convention applies to digital labourplatforms and platform workers regardless of how their employment status is classified, providing a global framework for promoting decent work across the sector.
The organisation stated that the convention addresses key concerns affecting platform workers, including fundamental rights at work, protection from violence and harassment, fair remuneration, social protection, and occupational safety and health.
“The Convention also establishes safeguards on the use of algorithms and automated decision-making systems, requiring greater transparency and accountability in digital labourmanagement practices,” the ILO said.
Describing the agreement as a landmark achievement, the organisation said it reflects the commitment of governments, employers, and workers to ensuring fair treatment in evolving workplaces.
“This Convention marks a historic step in shaping a future of work that is fair, inclusive, and grounded in social justice for millions of platform workers worldwide,” the ILO stated.
The organisation added that the instrument seeks to strike a balance between technological innovation and the protection of workers’ rights and decent working conditions.
“The adoption of this Convention demonstrates the determination of ILO constituents to ensure that technological progress benefits both businesses and workers,” it added.
According to the ILO, the new global standard will support member states in strengthening labour protections while encouraging sustainable growth and innovation in the digital economy.
Meanwhile, observers at the conference described the adoption of the convention as one of the most significant labour policy developments in recent years, noting that it could help shape the future of gig and platform-based work around the world.
