The Center for Democracy Foundation welcomes the adoption of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy, as the digital economy can contribute to development only if it is based on respect for human dignity and the socio-economic rights of workers.
The ILO Convention represents an important step towards ensuring that platform workers, regardless of their formal employment status, are recognized as holders of labour and socio-economic rights. It establishes the first internationally binding standards governing work in the platform economy, including protection against the misclassification of employment status, greater transparency of algorithmic management, protection of personal data, occupational safety and health, access to social protection, and the exercise of collective labour rights.
The Center for Democracy continuously advocates the principle that decent work is a human right, not a privilege. Decent work implies security, fair remuneration, safe and healthy working conditions, protection against discrimination, the possibility of trade union organizing, and effective mechanisms for the protection of rights. These standards must also apply to new forms of work.
We believe that clear regulations, strong institutions, effective labour inspection, and the involvement of trade unions, civil society organizations, the professional community, and platform workers themselves in the development of public policies are essential.
We expect the institutions of the Republic of Serbia to carefully analyse the new ILO Convention and initiate a public, transparent, and inclusive dialogue on its ratification and implementation. It is particularly important that the forthcoming labour law reforms, including the adoption of a new Labour Law, be aligned with international labour standards, the acquis of the European Union, and the actual changes taking place in the labour market.
Decent work is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for sustainable development. For this reason, the new ILO Convention should be understood as an incentive to advance labour rights in Serbia for everyone, in both the traditional and the digital economy.
The Convention on Decent Work in the Platform Economy was adopted at the International Labour Conference, the annual assembly of the International Labour Organization, held on 12 June 2026 in Geneva.
Center for Democracy Foundation
