The International Labor Conference (ILC) has affirmed the development of a binding global Convention, supplemented by a Recommendation, to secure decent working conditions and fundamental rights for platform workers.
Defend Jobs Philippines noted this as a hard-earned victory for workers and trade unions across the globe who have long campaigned for protections in the rapidly growing digital labor sector.
“DJP stand in solidarity with platform workers in the Philippines and around the world, and reaffirm our commitment to organizing, supporting, and amplifying their calls for decent work, union rights, and just regulation of the platform economy,” said DJP in a statement.
With the rise of modern technology in a rapidly changing world, working arrangements have also adapted to the digital crossover in business models that rely on the internet. The appeal of flexibility, especially in cases where platform workers lack formal employee-employer relationships, has further driven the growth of the platform economy in the country.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports that over 150 million people globally are employed in the platform economy.
In the Philippines, various studies estimate around 1.5 million Filipinos are employed in project-based services or “gigs”. These include delivery riders, ride-hailing drivers, online freelancers, among others. Many of these workers are based in the Global South, with countries such as the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan dubbed as major sources of labor supply. In fact, the Philippines ranks first among the fastest-growing freelancing economies in the world.
While digital platforms and technological innovation have opened opportunities to millions of people worldwide, they have also created a system where workers are often denied their basic rights and protections.
With the proposed Convention and Recommendation, DJP said this landmark commitment recognized the urgent need to address pertinent issues in the platform economy such as employment misclassification, lack of social protection, and the absence of transparency and accountability in algorithmic management
“Platform workers deserve the same rights, protections, and dignity as all workers,” said DJP advocacy director Rena Cañete.
Further negotiations on the framework will take place at the 2026 ILC to finalize the provisions.
