New forms of employment and the risk of labor exploitation: Legal aspects

The development of technology and accelerated changes in the world of work have led to the emergence of new, specific forms of employment, which are seen as a response to the changed needs of employers and workers shaped by these circumstances. However, the distinctive features of these forms of employment, and the fact that in most countries around the world they remain legally unregulated, have resulted in workers engaged in them remaining largely “invisible” to legal systems, whereby they are not guaranteed even the minimum level of labor and social rights that should be available to all economically active individuals. Such a situation poses a serious risk to the enjoyment of the right to decent work and creates a favorable environment for the emergence of labor exploitation. In light of the growing importance of new forms of employment, these circumstances represent the key reasons that prompted the author to choose this topic. Accordingly, the paper analyzes the interconnection of new forms of employment, the labor-law position of workers engaged in them, and the increased risk of labor exploitation. Finally, the author seeks to concisely highlight the need to reconsider the existing boundaries of labor-law protection in light of new forms of employment, as well as to propose legal solutions that may contribute to overcoming the problems identified in this regard.