In most countries, gig workers are not automatically covered by employment-related laws that provide protections such as occupational health and safety regulations.
Their vulnerability, highlighted by the Covid pandemic, is still evident: while they value the flexibility offered by the platform economy, it has become a competitive, over-supervised, and stressful system where work is poorly or not fully paid, posing challenges that poses challenges to their physical and mental health and well-being.
Some countries or regions have introduced legislation or collective agreements that have proved to be a major step forward in protecting platform workers and their health and safety around the world.
How much is being done for the health and safety of platform workers around the world?
In the Republic of Korea, a collective agreement (2020) allows for riders to receive safety training regularly and in the case of inclement weather, they will be allowed to stop deliveries. The company will also cover the cost of regular health check-ups.
In Malta, OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) Legislation on Algorithms and Automated Systems (2021) ensures that platforms must evaluate risks of automated monitoring systems, particularly regarding accidents, psychosocial, and ergonomic risks. It also prohibits use of systems that put undue pressure on workers.
In Singapore, platform workers will be entitled to the same scope and level of work injury compensation as employees under the Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA, 2024).
In the USA, New York specifically, the Local Law 117 of 2021 ensures that food delivery workers are guaranteed access to toilet facilities at food establishments when picking up deliveries, under certain conditions.
In France, the Legislative Framework on Digital Platform Work (2021) provides a legal framework for clarifying the employment status of workers, providing access to OHS to these workers.
In China, the Guidance on Safeguarding the Labor security Rights and Interests of new Employment Forms workers promotes occupational safety, protective equipment, and a safe working environment, as well as other benefits such as accident insurance, medical insurance, and pension.
Want to know more? Check out the Collective Agreement section on Gigpedia
This is not an exhaustive list. Want to know more? Get in touch with us!
