The thesis examines the legal status of platform workers who perform work through digital platforms. Although formally classified as self-employed, they often operate under conditions typical of employment relationships. The discussion highlights the issue of false self-employment, where workers lack access to basic social rights and protections, leading to legal and social insecurity.
The aim of the thesis is to explore the legislative challenges faced by platform workers and analyze their employment law status. Particular emphasis is placed on the solutions offered by the 2024 European Directive, aimed at improving the working conditions of these workers.
The research is based on a qualitative methodology, utilizing semi-structured interviews conducted with platform workers. The interviews shed light on the workers' experiences, their motivations for choosing platform work, and the numerous challenges they face. The data were analyzed using content analysis, providing an in-depth understanding of the realities of platform work.
The research reveals that workers choose platform work for its flexibility and the ease of earning additional income, but they face employment insecurity, low social protection, and algorithmic oversight. Due to legislative challenges, the 2024 European Directive introduces a legal presumption of employment when platforms control key aspects of the work, laying the groundwork for greater protection of workers' rights.
The findings contribute to the development of legislative practices that ensure equal rights for platform workers, assist workers in recognizing their employment law status, and encourage reconsideration of their work in cases of unfair treatment. At the same time, the research calls on employers to adopt fairer practices, particularly in light of the implementation of the European Directive, which sets new standards for protecting workers' rights and mitigating unfair working conditions.
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