“Uberisation” is the spread of digital labour platforms across the economy. It presents serious risks to the quality and security of jobs in Europe, as it is associated with insecure and low-pay, limited or non-existent social protections; opaque algorithmic management practices; intensive data surveillance; and the flouting of government regulations including labour laws.
To help trade unions anticipate and respond to these developments, the report highlights the need to identify sectors that are already affected or vulnerable to uberisation, and to understand the economic, technological and political factors shaping this trend. While it's difficult to predict companies’ future business strategies, it is possible to recognise recurring patterns in how Uberisation takes hold.
The report proposes a set of ten key indicators that characterise the platform business model and can be used to assess an industry’s susceptibility to Uberisation. These indicators form the basis for a practical tool to support trade union foresight and action.
Click here to read and download the report