General

Digital Labour Platforms

Online intermediaries matching workers with tasks or clients.

How the laws define this

Both statements from the ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy establish that digital labour platforms are online entities that utilize digital technologies to mediate work. Beyond this shared core, the formulations from the ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy diverge in their operational focus and descriptive criteria. One formulation emphasizes the economic structure by defining these platforms as online marketplaces that connect individual workers with clients or customers, noting that these operations often occur across borders. The other formulation from the ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy instead highlights specific functional categories of activity, explicitly identifying location-based services, such as ride-hailing, as well as online task-based work, without restricting the concept to specific marketplace parties or geographic scopes. Organizations reviewing these guidance points must account for both structural market relationships and specific task types when evaluating coverage.

Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

What it triggers

The ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy sets out guidance for member states, employers, and workers on workplace AI and algorithmic management in the context of digital labour platforms.source
The ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy defines digital labour platforms as online marketplaces that use digital technologies to mediate work between individual workers and clients or customers, often operating across borders.

Definitions (2)

Online platforms that use digital technologies to mediate work, including location-based services like ride-hailing and online task-based work.

ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital EconomyDefinition 1 of 2

Online marketplaces that use digital technologies to mediate work between individual workers and clients or customers, often operating across borders.

ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital EconomyDefinition 2 of 2

Not to be confused with

Digital Labour

Digital labour refers to the work performed via digital platforms and related conditions, while digital labour platforms are the online intermediaries that facilitate such work.

Algorithmic Management

Algorithmic management involves AI-based systems used to supervise and coordinate workers on digital labour platforms, whereas digital labour platforms are the broader online intermediaries matching workers with tasks.

Questions and answers

What guidance does the ILO Observatory provide on digital labour platforms?

The ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy guides member states, employers, and workers on workplace AI and algorithmic management related to digital labour platforms. It covers online platforms that use digital technologies to mediate work, including location-based services and online task-based work.

What types of work do digital labour platforms cover according to the ILO?

Digital labour platforms include online platforms mediating location-based services like ride-hailing and online task-based work. They also encompass online marketplaces mediating work between individual workers and clients or customers, often across borders.

Is the ILO Observatory on digital labour platforms binding?

The ILO Observatory on AI and Work in the Digital Economy is a policy that is not binding. It provides guidance currently in force since 2024.