Back to the future: Policy pointers from platform work scenarios
Published: 20 September 2020
Platform work– the matching of supply and demand for paid labour through an online platform – is still small in scale but is expected to grow. Accordingly, it is important to anticipate the opportunities and risks related to this business model and employment form. This report explores potential scenarios for two selected types of platform work by 2030, drawing on Eurofound’s ‘Future scenarios of platform work’ project. It assesses the expected implications for the economy, labour market and society if these potential futures were realised. On this basis, policy pointers show what could be done to facilitate desirable and avoid undesirable futures. These policy pointers consider how to capitalise on the opportunities inherent in on-location platform work, the need for regulatory clarity and enforcement, issues around worker representation, and the embeddedness of platform work in the digital age.
In economically challenging times, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, a low-barrier entry to employment forms like platform work can be beneficial for those most affected, such as the young or low-skilled. However, unfavourable side effects, like potentially getting stuck in a job with worse working conditions, social protection and career opportunities, must not be neglected.
It is important to ensure that platform work acts as a stepping stone into standard employment for those who wish so, rather than resulting in labour market segmentation or crowding out of traditional jobs.
A common finding across all scenarios is that the growth of platform work in rural areas could be fostered, through a combination of awareness raising of the population and workforce, and by incentivising platforms to offer their services there, including platforms with alternative governance structures (e.g. owned by the municipality).
The establishment of such labour platforms can serve a double benefit of improving the working conditions of the affiliated workers and providing accessible and affordable services of public interest.
With sound framework conditions, platform work can also be strategically used to foster an entrepreneurial spirit. Platform workers genuinely acting as self-employed can be supported in trying out or expanding their economic activity.
This section provides information on the data contained in this publication.
This report contains the following listing of tables and figures.
List of figures
Figure 1: Selected opportunities and risks of different types of platform work
Future scenarios
Listed below are the 10 potential platform work scenarios that were derived through this project.
Platform economy repository - Future scenarios
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Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2020), Back to the future: Policy pointers from platform work scenarios, New forms of employment series, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
ISBN
978-92-897-2114-1
Number of pages
22
Reference no.
EF20012
ISBN
978-92-897-2114-1
Catalogue number
TJ-02-20-661-EN-N
DOI
10.2806/660867
Permalink
http://eurofound.link/ef20012
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19 September 2020
