Problems of interpretation of the concept of a digital labour platform from the Platform Work Directive (2024/2831) in the context of multi-actor platform employment
The considerations presented in this article focus on the definition of a digital labour platform provided in Directive (EU) 2024/2831 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 on improving working conditions in platform work. The interpretation of the term ‘digital labour platform’ is of key importance for the effectiveness of the presumption of an employment relationship, which constitutes the cornerstone of the Directive. The author explores potential directions for interpreting the definitional criteria, taking into account the specific nature of platform-based employment and highlighting interpretative uncertainties within the context of the Polish legal system. In the author’s view, the requirement that all definitional criteria be cumulatively met by a single entity in order for it to be classified as a digital labour platform does not correspond to the realities of platform work, which is typically characterised by multi-actor arrangements. This, in turn, may undermine the effectiveness of the presumption.
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