By Victor Ahiuma-Young

GENEVA — In a landmark move set to reshape the future of work, the International Labour Organization, ILO, has adopted the world’s first international convention aimed at protecting millions of workers in the rapidly expanding digital platform economy.
The new Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026 was approved at the closing session of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, where government, employer and worker representatives from the ILO’s 187 member states gathered to deliberate on global labour issues.

The convention establishes the first international labour standard specifically designed for workers who earn income through digital platforms such as ride-hailing, delivery, freelance and other app-based services.

It applies to platform workers regardless of their employment status, creating a global framework to promote fair and decent work across the sector.

The ILO said the platform economy has generated new opportunities for employment and income generation around the world, but has also exposed workers to significant challenges, including low and unstable earnings, inadequate social protection and limited workplace rights.

Under the new convention, platform workers will be entitled to stronger protections covering a wide range of issues, including fundamental labour rights, fair remuneration, social protection, occupational safety, and protection against violence and harassment.
A major feature of the agreement is its focus on transparency and accountability in the use of algorithms and automated decision-making systems, which increasingly determine how platform workers are hired, assigned tasks, evaluated and compensated.
Labour advocates hailed the adoption of the convention as a historic breakthrough for workers in the digital age, arguing that technological innovation must be matched by safeguards that protect workers from exploitation.

The convention comes amid growing global debate over the employment status and rights of platform workers, many of whom have long complained about unpredictable income, lack of benefits and opaque management systems controlled by algorithms.

By establishing a common international standard, the ILO hopes to encourage member states to strengthen national laws and policies governing platform work while ensuring that technological innovation remains compatible with decent work principles.

The adoption of the convention marks a significant milestone in international labour governance and reflects the growing recognition that the digital economy requires modern rules to protect workers while supporting economic growth and innovation.