On June 12, 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) took a historic step toward regulating modern labor by adopting International Labour Convention (ILC) 193/2026, titled "Decent Work in the Platform Economy." The Convention, supported by the Greek delegation, aims to strengthen the position of workers against "algorithmic management" and opaque employment relations.

Redefining Employment and Wages

A critical component of the Convention is Article 9, which mandates that the classification of a worker as an employee or an independent contractor must be based on the actual conditions of work performance, regardless of how the company labels the individual. Furthermore, Article 10 requires member states to ensure that platform employees receive remuneration above the minimum wage (excluding tips), while also being compensated for their expenses.

A significant emphasis is placed on algorithmic transparency. Articles 11, 13B, and 18 obligate platforms to provide timely information to workers regarding how their pay is calculated and how automated systems impact their working conditions. This seeks to address the issue of "lost time"—waiting periods that currently remain unpaid.

Algorithmic Discrimination and Vulnerable Groups

The Convention addresses phenomena such as "algorithmic wage discrimination," a term introduced by Professor Veena Dubal. This refers to practices where wages fluctuate based on location and behavioral data, often resulting in pay below minimum standards. Research suggests that some platforms even use predictive models to estimate a worker's "tolerance" for low pay.

"In the past, an eight-hour shift was enough for a decent day's wage. Now you have to be on the bike for at least 12 hours, 365 days a year," says a Greek platform worker.

Additionally, Article 20 focuses on the protection of migrants and refugees in the "shadow platform economy," attempting to curb exploitation by subcontractors—a situation often described as akin to trafficking.

The Greek Context

While the new Convention is a step in the right direction, Greek unions continue to demand the full incorporation of EU Directive 2024/2831. This directive establishes a legal presumption of employment, shifting the burden of proof to the employer—a provision considered incomplete in the current Law 4808/2021 (the Hatzidakis law).