How is digital platform work described in the online media? : evidence from an exploratory exercise : report

The digitalisation process has changed the organisation of labour markets and business sectors worldwide, with those directly exposed to it experiencing new opportunities but also for some challenges in terms of working conditions. One of the main drivers of this transformation is digital labour platforms, which match the demand for and supply of labour by connecting platform workers with clients. This transformation has brought on one side, high levels of flexibility and autonomy, with platform workers being able to choose when, where and how long to work. Conversely, it challenges significantly the working and employment conditions of these workers, including occupational safety and health (OSH). In this regard, the European Commission proposed a directive aiming to improve the conditions in digital platform work in December 2021, which also contained important provisions on OSH risks. The directive was after negotiations approved by the European Parliament and Council in 2024. This study, which is exploratory in nature, aims to contribute to closing this knowledge gap by providing fresh insights into how digital platform work is addressed in public discussions on the web and social media, and the relative role that OSH plays in this realm. It analyses information extracted by a tool normally used in digital marketing complemented by web and social intelligence activities. Through web, social media listening and intelligence activity, online content items on the topic of digital platform work are categorised and analysed using a theoretical framework including contextual factors, OSH risk factors and health outcomes, developed from previous work by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA). The aim is to identify the issues in the discourse developed by relevant stakeholders, which can be taken into account by the OSH community at large to address such issues.