Dissertation title: WORK ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND THE CHALLENGES OF LEGAL REGULATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EUROPEAN UNION LEGISLATION

• Authors: Inva Koçiaj (Çela)

• Institution: University of Tirana,  Faculty of Law, Department of Civil.

• Field of study: Law

• Online publication date: 18.12.2025

• The dissertation is published in Albanian.

© Copyright: Inva Koçiaj Çela 

Published by the University of Tirana
Based on legal acts, regulations and policies of the UT

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ABSTRACT

This doctoral study analyses work on digital platforms as a challenge to traditional concepts of employment relations and the need for a review of the legal and social framework. The paper examines the historical development of platforms, the legal relationship between workers and platforms, the classification as employees or self-employed, and the impact of algorithmic management on the autonomy and privacy of workers. The focus is also on working conditions, social protection, trade union rights and the principle of equal treatment. The analysis draws on European Union legislation, national and European case law, as well as international labour instruments of the ILO, with the aim of identifying gaps and good practices.

The study finds that the lack of a clear legal framework has produced uncertainty in determining the status of workers, often leaving them outside the protections of labor law and social schemes. Algorithmic management has increased control and dependence, suggesting elements of a dependent relationship. The paper recommends clarifying legal criteria to avoid false self-employment, strengthening the transparency of algorithms, expanding social protection for the self-employed and guaranteeing trade union rights. In conclusion, the study offers theoretical and practical contributions to the regulation of work on platforms, serving as a model for improving legislation, especially in the Albanian context.

Keywords: digital platforms, employment relationships, algorithmic management, fake self-employment, social protection, working conditions

 

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ABSTRACT

This doctoral study examines digital platform work as a challenge to traditional concepts of the employment relationship and the need to revise the legal and social framework. It examines the historical evolution of platforms, the legal relationship between workers and platforms, their classification as employees or self-employed individuals, and the impact of algorithmic management on workers' autonomy and privacy. The analysis also focuses on working conditions, social protection, trade union rights, and the principle of equal treatment. The study draws on European Union legislation, national and European case law, as well as international labor standards of the ILO, to identify legal gaps and best practices.

The findings reveal that the absence of a clear legal framework has created uncertainty in defining the status of platform workers, often leaving them outside the scope of labor protections and social security schemes. Algorithmic management has increased control and dependency, indicating elements of an employment relationship. The study recommends clarifying legal criteria to prevent false self-employment, enhancing algorithmic transparency, expanding social protection to self-declared workers, and ensuring effective trade union rights. Overall, the dissertation offers theoretical and practical contributions to the regulation of platform work and serves as a model for improving labor legislation, particularly in the Albanian context.

 

Keywords: digital platform work, employment relationship, algorithmic management, false self-employment, social protection, working conditions