Government Draft Bill Makes Platform Work Subject to Employment Contracts

The Polish government released a draft law on platform work this week that would require companies operating labour platforms—such as ride-hailing and courier services—to offer employment contracts to workers classified as subordinate to the platform's management. The bill aims to close a legal gap by recognising the employment relationship between platform operators and workers, shifting many from civil-law contracts to full employment status.

Under the new legislation, demonstrating that work is performed under someone's supervision would be sufficient grounds to grant worker status. Lawyers have raised concerns about the breadth of the definition and its potential implications under Poland's Constitution, questioning whether the approach treats all platform workers uniformly and whether it complies with equality principles.

Key Changes

• Workers performing tasks under platform direction will qualify for employee status and Labour Code protections
• Employment contracts must include standard terms: salary, working time, leave, and benefits
• Regulation applies to all labour platforms regardless of sector

This change represents a major shift for the gig economy in Poland, where many couriers and delivery drivers currently work as independent contractors. If enacted, the legislation could force platforms to reclassify thousands of workers, increasing employer labour costs but granting workers access to sick leave, holiday pay, and unemployment insurance. Foreigners working on platforms should monitor whether their visa or work-permit conditions restrict "platform work" specifically, and check with their employer whether reclassification will affect tax or social-security registration.

Sources

• pulshr.pl — Umowa o pracę dla każdego kuriera? Rząd pokazał projekt