More than 150 policymakers, statisticians, social partners, platform operators, and researchers from over 20 countries gathered in Singapore on 29 September for the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work. Hosted by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the conference marked a key step in global knowledge exchange aimed at addressing data gaps and advancing the platform economy.
The conference focused on establishing trusted and harmonized international statistical frameworks for digital platform employment (DPE). Such frameworks are essential for evidence-based policies that protect workers, promote economic growth, and support inclusive participation in the platform economy. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the dialogue facilitated cross-border collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of policies informed by accurate data.
Despite the rapid growth of digital platform work, it is not fully captured in labor force data due to the lack of standardized definitions and measurement methods. Platform work spans a wide range of activities, from transport and delivery to professional services like coding and consulting, often performed sporadically. This diversity makes it difficult to assess the true impact on workers’ incomes and conditions, leading to inconsistent measurement and potential gaps in employment protections and social safety nets.
Robust and consistent data is crucial for governments to design policies that safeguard worker rights while supporting higher-skilled freelancers and professionals in accessing global opportunities. Proper measurement can inform workplace injury compensation, housing and retirement adequacy, career mobility initiatives, and ensure that both lower-income and high-skilled platform workers are accounted for in labor statistics. Standardized data also enables cross-border regulation, employer accountability, and the integration of digital services into labor mobility and trade frameworks.
Singapore is among the first countries to conduct annual national surveys on platform work. These surveys, alongside strong tripartite collaboration, were instrumental in the introduction of the Platform Workers Act, which strengthens protections and representation for workers. In 2023, the MOM and ILO produced a working paper highlighting measurement challenges and calling for standardized concepts and methods, leading to the formation of an expert group on digital platform work and co-hosting of the Global Dialogue.
MOM Permanent Secretary Ng Chee Khern emphasized that international measurement standards must evolve alongside the rapid growth of digital platform employment. Singapore’s early tracking of delivery and ride-hailing workers provided timely data that informed the Platform Workers Act, and future efforts will include higher-skilled platform roles to ensure comprehensive data and policy coverage.
ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo highlighted the importance of comparable global data to protect workers’ rights, extend social protection, and promote decent work while supporting the economic potential of platform employment. He noted that reliable data is also essential for the ILO’s ongoing standard-setting efforts for platform workers.
Through cross-border dialogue, tripartite engagement, and multilateral cooperation, the Global Dialogue on Digital Platform Work aims to establish stronger international measurement standards. The discussions will ensure platform workers are visible, valued, and fairly represented, and will serve as a critical milestone ahead of the 22nd International Conference of Labour Statisticians in 2028, where DPE measurement standards will be presented.
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