The platform economy as a stepping stone to sustainable employment: challenges and conditions

The objective of this project is to investigate whether platform work can be a stepping stone to qualitative and sustainable employment for people with a (large) distance to the labour market, and which conditions must be met in the short and long term to achieve this. In recent years, the platform economy has grown strongly, also in Flanders. This new form of work brings a number of advantages, including low thresholds to the labour market and the possibility of earning an income through flexible work. Platform work can thus form a stepping stone to employment, within the platform economy and beyond, especially for those who have difficulty finding work. On the other hand, the working conditions of platform work are questioned and it may increase labour market segmentation. Therefore, this project wants to clarify if and how platform work can lead to qualitative and sustainable employment and which measures can be taken by policy, social partners and other actors to support this. To this end, lessons are drawn from policy measures introduced in other European countries, as well as their impact on platform work in general and on people distanced from the labour market in particular.