This report analyses the working conditions and information needs of online platform workers based on a survey of 3 830 workers across 15 EU Member States. Unlike existing research focused on on-location platform work, this study examines workers who provide services entirely online. The findings reveal a workforce that is predominantly male, of prime working age and highly educated, primarily delivering skilled professional services rather than microtasks. The research also finds that algorithmic control practices are widespread, with more than 40 % of survey respondents being subject to intrusive control practices combining surveillance, gamification and restricted autonomy. Self-reported average annual earnings from online platform work of EUR 20 000 mask substantial variation by country and task type. Findings also indicate that online platform work can provide genuine labour market access for groups facing barriers in traditional employment, including homemakers, students and the unemployed. Workers generally demonstrate good knowledge of platform-specific information but exhibit significant gaps in knowledge of work-related rights, particularly social security contributions.
