Gig Workers At The Crossroads: Platform Worker Classification, Emerging Legal Frameworks, And The Global Battle For Worker Rights
- IJLLR Journal
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Jiya Sharma, BBA LLB, Bennett University
ABSTRACT
The gig economy worldwide has radically transformed traditional principles in labor law. Millions of workers recruited by digital platforms such as ride- sharing drivers, food delivery couriers, and gig workers hired for completing tasks through freelance websites are legally positioned between independent contractors and employees and thus not covered under any protection that usually comes with the relationship of employment. In this article, there is a critical analysis of evolving trends on the classification of gig and platform workers in major jurisdictions including the US, EU, the UK, and India. While 42% of legal practitioners predict an increase in the issue of employee classification in the year 2026 and while contractor classifications are becoming stricter in almost all jurisdictions, the issue of whether gig workers can be classified as independent contractors or employees is now a key issue in labor law.
