The Platforms’ Great Transformation: Assessing the Platform Work Directive’s impact on ‘social protection accessibility’ through the lenses of the 2019 Recommendation and the principle of ‘labour status neutrality’

Abstract

The so-called platform economy is said to become an ideal opportunity for the construction of a competitive and inclusive Digital Single Market. However, the platform economy also runs the risk of undermining the social protection of work. In this light, the present research critically assesses the extent to which the recently approved Platform Work Directive will extend, maintain, or reduce the ‘social protection accessibility’ of non-standard workers and self-employed persons in the platform economy.

By focusing on both the EU legislation and its (potential) implementation in Spain, this research provides key findings regarding the adaptation of traditional social protection schemes towards new arrangements of work in the Digital Single Market.