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Study to support the impact assessment of an EU Initiative on improving the working conditions of platform workers

As the number of people working via online platforms increases, the employment status, working conditions, and social protection of platform workers presents a growing concern. In response, in its 2021 work programme the European Commission included an initiative to improve the working conditions of platform workers. PPMI supported the European Commission's Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL) in carrying out an impact assessment of the initiative.

The study team undertook a review of policy responses to platform work challenges in EU-27 as well as a selection of countries outside the EU. Furthermore, PPMI reviewed recent public consultations with social partners and conducted interviews with the relevant EU and national stakeholders, capturing balanced views on the issues associated with the working conditions of platform workers. Finally, PPMI implemented an online panel survey of platform workers and other workers who encounter algorithmic management practices in their work, as well as collected data through web scraping of online platforms. The data was used for a cost-benefit analysis which yielded insights for the overall assessment of the initiative.