Food and package delivery couriers, translators and plumbers are often assigned jobs through digital platforms. Some of these platform workers are in a vulnerable situation. In order to give them better protection against unhealthy working conditions, it is important to better reach this group. For example for research and information about occupational health and safety. There is currently a lack of insight into the size of this group and their experiences. This is concluded by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) in a report on the opportunities and risks that societal developments offer for platform workers.
The five most impactful developments identified by RIVM and TNO for workers in vulnerable situations are AI, new legislation and regulations, migration, the labour market shortage and globalisation. These developments offer both opportunities and risks for occupational health and safety. Workers in vulnerable situations, such as platform workers, can be affected by all of them.
Strong dependence and unfavourable working conditions
Some platform workers are in a vulnerable situation. This group depends on platform work and performs relatively simple tasks. Workers who perform tasks that require no specific skills or knowledge are easy to replace. Several other working conditions – low pay, long hours and severe time pressure – are also unfavourable. Thereby, platform workers also have less contact with colleagues and are not represented by trade unions or a works council.
Jobs assigned by algorithms
Platform workers are assigned to jobs by algorithms that work in an efficient way. In some cases, the fee and tasks involved are determined by AI. While this offers opportunities for platform workers to find jobs easily, it gives them less control over the time and manner in which they perform those jobs. Furthermore, implicit assumptions and judgments in algorithms can increase the risk that workers are not offered jobs due to discrimination.
Improved reach in the future
At the moment, researchers and policymakers still struggle to reach platform workers. Less developed digital skills and/or knowledge of the Dutch language may be other barriers to filtering adequate information. Currently, platform workers are not properly reached through commissioning clients, platforms and occupational health and safety professionals either. It is therefore important to establish suitable communication methods and channels to ensure platform workers are reached more often.
This research was funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment and carried out by RIVM and TNO.