Luis Gordo analyses the legal challenges of digital platform work in Mexico

Luis Gordo had the honour of taking part in the International Dialogue “Work on Digital Platforms: Progress and Challenges in Spain and Mexico”, held on 2 September at the Chamber of Deputies of Mexico following an invitation from Federal Deputy J. Jesús Jiménez.

The event brought together representatives from parliamentary, academic, trade union and institutional spheres to discuss the development of digital platform work and the challenges involved in regulating it in Spain, Mexico and the international context.

In his contribution, Luis Gordo examined platform work as a technological manifestation of the informal economy. His analysis focused particularly on the legal pathways towards formal employment, as well as on the regulatory instruments that are helping to shape new responses to this emerging form of work.

The discussion addressed the achievements and limitations of Spain’s Rider Law, Directive (EU) 2024/2831 on improving working conditions in platform work and International Labour Organization Convention No. 193. These instruments represent important steps towards recognising workers’ rights, clarifying responsibilities and strengthening protection for people working through digital platforms.

At the same time, the presentation highlighted the challenges that national and international legal systems still face in regulating this area appropriately. These include the correct classification of employment relationships, protection against algorithmic management, the guarantee of collective rights and the effective extension of social protection to people working through digital platforms.

The dialogue also underscored the importance of transnational exchange. As Luis Gordo noted, sharing experiences between Spain, Mexico and other countries helps to enrich national perspectives, identify common solutions and promote fairer and more effective regulatory frameworks.

The panel also included Pedro Américo Furtado de Oliveira, Director of the ILO Office for Mexico and Cuba; Deputies J. Jesús Jiménez, Patricia Mercado and Fernando Mendoza Arce; and Sergio Guerrero, Secretary-General of UNTA.

Luis Gordo’s participation contributes to the international debate on the digital transformation of work and is closely connected to INSEAI’s objective of analysing new forms of informality and promoting policies aimed at formalisation, labour inclusion and social protection.