ILO adopts first binding global convention on platform‑gig workers

On 12 June 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted Convention 193 – the Decent Work in the Platform Economy – at the closing of its 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The treaty is the first binding international standard aimed at protecting workers who earn their livelihood through digital platforms such as ride‑hailing, food‑delivery and online‑task services.

The convention sets minimum safeguards that member states must incorporate into national law, including the right to a minimum wage (excluding tips and commissions), access to health and social‑security benefits, safe and healthy workplaces, freedom of association and collective bargaining, and transparency of algorithmic management systems. It also calls for the elimination of child labour, forced labour and other exploitative practices in the platform sector.

The text was approved by a vote of 406 in favour, eight against and 36 abstentions. The United States and New Zealand voted against, while the United Kingdom, India and several other countries abstained. The World Bank estimates that up to 435 million people worldwide are engaged in gig‑economy work, meaning the convention could affect hundreds of millions once ratified. The ILO has no direct enforcement power, but ratifying states may incorporate the standards into domestic law and workers could submit complaints against non‑compliant platforms.