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The Digital Transformation of Subordination - Platform Work, Worker Protection and Regulatory Clarity under the PWD

Shokirova, Abida LU and Norell, Vendela (2026) HARN63 20261
Department of Business Law
Abstract
This thesis examines Directive (EU) 2024/2831 on improving working conditions in platform work (PWD) and its implications for both worker protection and regulatory clarity for platform companies within the European Union. The rapid expansion of the platform economy has challenged traditional distinctions between employment and self-employment, where work is organised through digital infrastructure and algorithmic management, creating uncertainty both for platform workers and platform companies.
The purpose of the thesis is to analyse how the PWD addresses the classification and protection of persons performing platform work and how it contributes to regulatory clarity and predictability for platform companies. The thesis applies an EU... (More)
This thesis examines Directive (EU) 2024/2831 on improving working conditions in platform work (PWD) and its implications for both worker protection and regulatory clarity for platform companies within the European Union. The rapid expansion of the platform economy has challenged traditional distinctions between employment and self-employment, where work is organised through digital infrastructure and algorithmic management, creating uncertainty both for platform workers and platform companies.
The purpose of the thesis is to analyse how the PWD addresses the classification and protection of persons performing platform work and how it contributes to regulatory clarity and predictability for platform companies. The thesis applies an EU legal method and analyses the Directive considering EU primary and secondary law, preparatory works, CJEU case law and selected national case law concerning platform work.
The thesis concludes that the Directive strengthens worker protection by introducing a rebuttable presumption of employment, reinforcing the principle of primacy of facts and regulating algorithmic management. At the same time, the Directive does not fully eliminate regulatory unclarity. Concepts like “direction and control” remain open to interpretation and the implementation of the Directive is to a certain extent left to Member States, which may lead to continued fragmentation and litigation. (Less)
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author
Shokirova, Abida LU and Norell, Vendela
supervisor
organization
course
HARN63 20261
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Platform Work Directive, platform work, algorithmic management, worker classification, false self-employment, EU labour law, digital labour platforms, regulatory clarity
language
English
id
9234215
date added to LUP
2026-06-10 09:33:13
date last changed
2026-06-10 09:33:13
@misc{9234215,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines Directive (EU) 2024/2831 on improving working conditions in platform work (PWD) and its implications for both worker protection and regulatory clarity for platform companies within the European Union. The rapid expansion of the platform economy has challenged traditional distinctions between employment and self-employment, where work is organised through digital infrastructure and algorithmic management, creating uncertainty both for platform workers and platform companies. 
The purpose of the thesis is to analyse how the PWD addresses the classification and protection of persons performing platform work and how it contributes to regulatory clarity and predictability for platform companies. The thesis applies an EU legal method and analyses the Directive considering EU primary and secondary law, preparatory works, CJEU case law and selected national case law concerning platform work.
The thesis concludes that the Directive strengthens worker protection by introducing a rebuttable presumption of employment, reinforcing the principle of primacy of facts and regulating algorithmic management. At the same time, the Directive does not fully eliminate regulatory unclarity. Concepts like “direction and control” remain open to interpretation and the implementation of the Directive is to a certain extent left to Member States, which may lead to continued fragmentation and litigation.}},
  author       = {{Shokirova, Abida and Norell, Vendela}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Digital Transformation of Subordination - Platform Work, Worker Protection and Regulatory Clarity under the PWD}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}