From Mexico to Geneva, Workers are Pushing for Fair Labour Standards in the Platform Economy

In December 2024, Mexico’s government passed groundbreaking labour reforms to protect workers in the platform economy, such as those driving for Uber or delivering for Rappi. Overseen by the country’s newly-elected (and first ever female) president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the reforms are particularly significant because they recognise platform workers as employees, granting them access to social security benefits and collective bargaining, rights to profits, and other labour protections. This shift challenges the traditional model of gig work, which has often left workers in a legal grey area, without access to basic labour rights.

These labour reforms are a landmark moment not just for Mexico but for other countries grappling with similar issues across the region and further afield. Mexico is home to the second-largest population of platform workers in Latin America, second only to Brazil, and so this reform could set a precedent for how other nations might address the growing challenges of platform work, particularly in terms of labour rights and social protections.

Workers and Unions Lead the Way in Shaping Implementation

While Mexico’s labour reforms are a major step forward, their implementation presents challenges that require collaboration between the government and platform workers’ unions. Unions like the National Union of App Workers (Unión Nacional de Trabajadores por Aplicación, or UNTA) have been at the forefront, proposing solutions to ensure the reforms’ success. For example, the reform stipulates that workers earning at least the monthly minimum wage in Mexico City (8,364 MXN ≈414.87 USD) will gain full access to labour rights and social security – although Sergio Guerrero, UNTA’s Secretary General, has highlighted the need for clarity in defining worker status and calculating contributions, particularly for those with irregular work patterns.

UNTA has also emphasised the importance of including workers in roundtable meetings to develop implementation protocols. According to Guerrero, workers’ firsthand experiences and insights are crucial for addressing ambiguities, such as determining eligibility for benefits when someone works intermittently. Similarly, Angélica Salgado, National Secretary for New Forms of Labour at CUT Chile, has proposed using a rolling three-month average of hours worked to assess worker status and calculate contributions. While this approach offers a potential solution, it also raises important questions, such as whether the same criteria should apply for calculating severance These discussions underscore the need for worker-led solutions to ensure the reforms’ effectiveness.

Mexico’s challenges mirror those in countries like Spain and Chile, where platform workers have fought for recognition and rights. For instance, Spain’s Riders Law reclassified delivery workers as employees, sparking debates about sustainability and flexibility. However, as Nuria Soto of Riders X Derechos notes, companies often shift focus to individual preferences – like choosing between self-employment or employee status – thus diverting attention from structural issues. This risks dividing workers and undermining collective rights. For that reason, in Mexico, unions are now pushing for structural solutions to balance collective rights with the complexities of platform work.

The Global Push for “Decent Work” in the Platform Economy

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has been at the forefront of addressing the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in the world of work. In 2019, the organisation called on member states to implement policies ensuring privacy, data protection and fair conditions for platform workers.

Building on this, the ILO Governing Body convened a tripartite meeting of experts in October 2022 to discuss what it terms “decent work” in the platform economy. It has an item on the agenda of the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in June 2025 to discuss, for the first time, standard-setting for decent work in the platform economy, with a two-year negotiation process. This historic step underscores the global urgency to address the rights and protections of platform workers in the digital age.

Again, as with national labour reforms (such as those in Mexico), these international labour discussions have been driven by the pressure exerted by workers themselves. Across the globe, digital platform workers have been organising through unions and associations, pushing for labour rights at local, national, and international levels. For instance, in October 2023, Latin American women unionists working in digital platforms came together to define a gender-focused agenda for regulation, specifically aimed at influencing the discussions set to take place two years later at the ILC in Geneva. It’s crucial not only to acknowledge these efforts but also to emphasise how platform workers, particularly women, are bringing clear, gender-focused demands to the table for the discussions in June.

Towards a Fairer Future for Platform Economy Workers

Overall, Mexico’s groundbreaking labour reforms for digital platform workers marks a historic step forward, not only for the country but for Latin America and the global platform economy. By recognising platform workers as employees and granting them access to social security and other protections, Mexico is challenging the traditional model of gig work and setting a precedent for other nations. Meanwhile, the active participation of unions and workers in shaping implementation is not only essential for the reform’s success but also a powerful example of how collective action can drive meaningful change.

However, the journey toward fair labour standards for digital platform workers is far from over. As Mexico implements its historic reform and the ILO prepares for critical discussions in 2025, the active engagement of workers, unions, policymakers, and advocates remains crucial. To address the inequalities embedded in the platform economy, it is vital to amplify workers’ voices, advocate for inclusive policies, and push for robust regulations that protect labour rights. By fostering collaboration at local, national, and global levels, we can ensure that the digital economy works for everyone, not just a few. This ongoing effort is key to building a future where no worker is left behind.

Kruskaya Hidalgo Cordero is grateful to Sergio Guerrero (UNTA), Angélica Salgado (CUT Chile) and Nuria Soto (Riders X Derechos) for sharing their views – and hence centring the perspectives of platform economy workers – with her for this article.

The views expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme, the International Inequalities Institute, or the London School of Economics and Political Science.