The Public Policy Research Center took part in the 9th Annual “Regulating for Decent Work” (RDW) Conference, organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and held in Geneva from July 2–4, 2025.
As part of the RDW research network, the Center presented its paper:
“Scheduled for Risk: Dynamic Wage-Setting, Algorithmic Management, and Occupational Risks in Platform Work”, authored by Tatjana Jakobi and Branka Anđelković.
The study examines how algorithmically governed wage systems and incentive structures on food delivery platforms like Glovo and Wolt shape worker behavior and increase exposure to occupational safety and health (OSH) risks.
It identifies a significant regulatory gap in existing labor policies—including the EU Platform Work Directive, which currently fails to address how algorithmic wage-setting contributes to OSH hazards in platform-mediated work.
Key policy recommendations proposed in the study include:
- Auditing dynamic wage-setting algorithms for OSH impact
- Introducing mandatory rest periods and daily app usage limits
- Guaranteeing a fixed base rate per delivery
- Ensuring universal workplace injury insurance, regardless of employment status
- Recognizing dynamic pay systems as a structural OSH risk factor
The RDW Conference is one of the ILO’s flagship international events, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to collectively rethink the future of work in the digital economy.
For more information or to request the paper, contact: office@publicpolicy.rs
