Workers, platforms and the state: the struggle over digital labour platform regulation

Abstract

This chapter discusses the arguments made by digital labour platforms - and their supporters - in favour of self-regulation. Against their claims that platform self-regulation is a preferable alternative to state intervention, for the shared benefit of shareholders, workers, and consumers, this chapter argues that in practice platforms have mobilised existing laws when they found them useful, while leveraging their economic power and popularity to undermine others. This process has led to the weakening of labour regulations, the deterioration of pay and conditions for digital labour platform workers, and to the reshaping of state and national laws to the advantage of platforms. This chapter points to emerging alternatives in the form of regulatory initiatives from below, led by platform workers themselves, and amplified by a constellation of supporters.