Working conditions of platform workers in new EU member states: Motives, working environment and legal regulations

Abstract

The article focuses on the differences in motivation, working environment and legal regulation of digital platform work, as well as demographic characteristics of digital platform workers in new EU member states (Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Romania). The research is based on the COLLEEM survey (2018) results. The ANOVA test revealed statistically significant differences only in one group of the characteristics under consideration – the number of digital platforms used by workers. The findings lead to the conclusion that digital platform workers who use 5 and more platforms tend to be more motivated and more satisfied with their working environment and legal regulation that those who use 1 platform. Generally, the first and most important challenge that platform workers are facing is the lack of social protection that is provided by the traditional employment contracts. This applies to all new EU member states under consideration.