The right to strike and its perception by society in the process of digital labour platforms institutionalisation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/EiP.2026.9Keywords
platform workers, trade unions, persons performing platform work, PolandAbstract
Motivation: The article addresses the issue of platform work in Poland in the context of the development of social dialogue institutions and the right to protest. As a result of the implementation of the Directive on improving working conditions in platform work, this relatively new type of work should operate within a new, more coherent institutional environment. In Poland, the widely criticised standards of platform work and strikes undertaken by persons performing platform work have shown that social dialogue has an important role to play in this sector. In European practice, strikes and the resulting social dialogue have strengthened the process of digital labour platforms institutionalisation and accelerated the creation of the Directive.
Aim: The article aims to evaluate the institutional conditions and social climate in Poland in which the right to freedom of association and the resulting right to strike for persons working through digital platforms will be implemented.
Results: The conclusions were formulated based on critical literature review, analysis of legal acts, and data from an original diagnostic survey. The study shows that in Poland, the strike was an important factor that united platform workers and initiated the formation of trade unions in this sector. As demonstrated, the implementation of the Directive on improving working conditions in platform work should indirectly strengthen its role. Platform workers in Poland can also count on social support in exercising their right to strike, which is a logical consequence of their right to participation in social dialogue.
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