At the heart of the agreement is the stipulation that platforms can no longer categorize workers as independent contractors, thereby avoiding obligations like minimum wage, healthcare, sick leave, and social security contributions.
The newly established standards still require ratification by governments, followed by enforcement. The U.S., for instance, has often refrained from ratifying ILO conventions, while many European nations have shown greater support.
A total of 406 members, including representatives from China, Japan, Germany, France, and South Africa, voted in favor of the employment standards convention, while eight members, including the United States and New Zealand, opposed it. Thirty-six members, including Britain and India, abstained. The U.N. agency is composed of representatives from governments, employers, and workers.
Lorenzo Riboni, a U.S. representative, stated that the U.S. does not endorse a prescriptive binding convention in rapidly evolving economic sectors.
“This is particularly the case for the cross-cutting platform economy, where excessively rigid regulations can stifle innovation and ultimately harm the very workers they aim to protect,” Riboni remarked.
‘HISTORIC’ FOR PLATFORM WORKERS
The World Bank estimates that the number of app-based gig workers globally is between 154 million and 435 million individuals.
Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and various trade unions, argue that the prevalent classification of workers as independent contractors allows companies to circumvent minimum wage laws and benefits.
A 2025 report by Human Rights Watch indicated that U.S. gig workers surveyed earned a median hourly wage of $5.12 after expenses, with overall earnings falling about 30% short of the federal minimum wage.
Amanda Brown, vice chair of the ILO’s Workers’ Group, declared the agreement a historic moment for platform workers globally and a response to years of well-documented abuse and exploitation.
“This is the first time in international law that the individuals who drive our cities and care for our homes will be acknowledged, recognized, and safeguarded by a binding international standard,” Brown told delegates.
The convention further requires platforms to reveal how automated systems impact workers.
Lena Simet, a senior advisor on economic justice at Human Rights Watch, regarded the convention as a significant advancement, though challenges still persist.
“This provides a baseline, not a limit, and governments must now ratify it, ensure correct classification, and bridge gaps for workers misidentified as self-employed,” she stated.
ALGORITHM MANAGEMENT
The convention also establishes international regulations regarding algorithmic management for the first time, mandating that platforms disclose the usage and timing of automated systems that influence pay and access to jobs.
Although the ILO lacks enforcement authority, member states can file complaints that may initiate investigations and apply pressure on governments.
If a country ratifies the convention and integrates it into domestic law, individuals may have the right to take legal action against a platform company.
