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Towards ‘bogus employment?’ The contradictory outcomes of ride-hailing regulation in Berlin, Lisbon and Paris

Author

Listed:
  • Valentin Niebler
  • Giorgio Pirina
  • Michelangelo Secchi
  • Franco Tomassoni

Abstract

The issue of employment classification has been central in the politics around the platform economy. Crucial has been the phenomenon of ‘bogus self-employment’, whereby workers in de facto dependent employment relationships conduct services as independent contractors. Legislators around the world have aimed to tackle this issue by obliging platforms to classify their workers as employees. Based on empirical research in the ride-hailing industry of Berlin, Paris and Lisbon, where such classification exists already, we highlight its contradictory outcomes. We argue that platform companies have managed to introduce forms of ‘bogus employment’ whereby even formally employed workers lack basic worker rights.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentin Niebler & Giorgio Pirina & Michelangelo Secchi & Franco Tomassoni, 2023. "Towards ‘bogus employment?’ The contradictory outcomes of ride-hailing regulation in Berlin, Lisbon and Paris," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 16(2), pages 289-301.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:cjrecs:v:16:y:2023:i:2:p:289-301.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Guy Davidov & Pnina Alon-Shenker, 2022. "The ABC Test: A New Model for Employment Status Determination?," Industrial Law Journal, Industrial Law Society, vol. 51(2), pages 235-276.
    2. Martin Kenney & John Zysman, 2020. "The platform economy: restructuring the space of capitalist accumulation," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 13(1), pages 55-76.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Anna Davies & Betsy Donald & Mia Gray, 2023. "The power of platforms—precarity and place," Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, Cambridge Political Economy Society, vol. 16(2), pages 245-256.

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