ILO adopts first binding treaty for gig economy workers

In a landmark decision, the International Labour Organization has adopted the world's first binding treaty establishing labor standards for workers in the gig economy. The agreement, known as the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, was approved on Friday, June 12, 2026, by a vote of 406 to 8, with 36 abstentions at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva.

The convention aims to extend core labor protections to hundreds of millions of people globally who work through digital platforms, such as ride-hailing, food delivery, and freelance digital tasks. The World Bank has estimated that up to 435 million people earn income through such labor platforms, many of whom have operated with limited legal safeguards. A central issue the treaty addresses is the widespread classification of these workers as independent contractors, which has often allowed companies to avoid obligations like minimum wage, social security, and workplace safety.

The new standards require governments to take measures to ensure correct classification of workers based on how their work is performed and paid. It mandates protections including timely pay, clear information about earnings and...