The impact of platform work and freelancing on traditional labor market segmentation

This article examines how platform work and freelancing are reshaping traditional labor market segmentation. It focuses on changes in occupational and skill-based, sectoral, income, geographical, and institutional dimensions of segmentation. The findings indicate that emerging forms of employment are blurring the boundaries between primary and secondary employment, permanent and temporary work, and dependent employment and self-employment. This shift is giving rise to hybrid employment patterns that combine different forms of work and multiple sources of income. At the same time, differences in workers’ skills, income levels, and institutional status persist and may, in some cases, become more pronounced. Platform work and freelancing therefore do not constitute a homogeneous labor market segment but encompass groups of workers occupying markedly different positions in the labor market. The findings provide a more nuanced understanding of how traditional labor market segmentation is evolving as new forms of employment become more widespread.