This master thesis analyses the main challenges faced by workers performing work through online platforms. As a relatively new and rapidly developing field, platform workers face several legal issues, in p articular the correct definition of their employment status, the impact of algorithmic management on working conditions and the protection of personal data, and the question of entitlement to collective labour rights. Platform work typically allows workers a greater degree of flexibility and autonomy, allowing platforms to define workers as self-employed. In practice, however, it frequently turns out that platform workers are often in a subordinate and dependent position, and that their relationship with is de facto similar to that of an employment relationship. If they are recognised as workers in an employment relationship, they are entitled to labour law protection. In addition, the algorithmic management used by the platforms to automatically assign tasks, monitor and evaluate performance, etc. further increases the control over workers. If the use of algorithms is not transparent, it can lead to gender inequality, discrimination and unfair working conditions. Further, the master thesis analyses international legal instruments such as ILO Conventions and examines EU legislative initiatives and case law, with a particular focus on the new Platform Work Directive. Moreover, it addresses national legislations of selected jurisdictions, comparatively analysing the different approaches to regulating the situation of platform workers and protecting their rights. Based on this analysis, the Master thesis offers a critical overview of existing regulatory approaches and highlights opportunities for better protection of platform workers in the digital economy.
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