Regulating platform economies: Dilemmas, problems and divergence

Abstract

The spread of the platform economy represents a challenge for the regulation of the labour market. This is particularly the case in the European Union (EU) where both supranational and national policymakers are trying to address the problems related to the digitalization of the member states' economies. The article sheds light on the first regulation of the gig economy in Europe. The first reference is to the role of the EU. Then the article refers to the parallel development of new rules in three countries (Germany, France and UK) that belong to different varieties of capitalism and different traditions in the regulation of the labour market. The article proves that both the EU and national regulators have not yet provided effective rules on platforms.