ILO Adopts Historic Treaty on Gig Workers’ Rights as Christine Nathan Calls for Human Dignity at the Heart of Work

Geneva, June 15, 2026: A landmark step towards protecting workers in the rapidly expanding digital economy was taken at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva as member States of the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted Convention No. 193 on Decent Work in the Platform Economy. The historic treaty, approved on June 12, establishes the first international labour standards specifically designed to safeguard the rights of gig and platform workers worldwide.

The Convention addresses longstanding gaps in labour protection affecting millions of workers engaged through digital platforms. It provides safeguards related to fair remuneration, occupational health and safety, social security coverage, transparency in algorithmic management, and the proper classification of workers—issues that have become increasingly urgent amid the rapid growth of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

The adoption of the Convention marked a significant milestone in the global effort to ensure that technological progress is accompanied by justice, dignity, and protection for workers.

A strong moral voice at the Conference came from Christine Nathan, President of the International Catholic Migration Commission, who addressed delegates on behalf of the Catholic organisation. Speaking as the Commission marked its 75th anniversary of service to migrants and refugees, Nathan highlighted the profound impact of technological change on the world of work and called for a people-centred approach to innovation.

“The future of work must not be determined solely by technological capacity or market forces, but by ethical responsibility, social dialogue, and the primacy of human dignity,” she told the plenary assembly.

Her message echoed many of the concerns that shaped the discussions leading to the Convention’s adoption. While digital platforms have opened new economic opportunities, they have also contributed to precarious working conditions, shifted risks onto workers, and concentrated power in the hands of a limited number of platform operators.

Nathan particularly underscored the vulnerability of migrant workers, who are disproportionately represented in platform-based and other essential sectors. She cautioned that technological progress detached from social justice could deepen inequalities rather than advance human development.

In a world increasingly influenced by algorithms and artificial intelligence, she urged governments, employers, workers, and civil society to exercise ethical discernment and collective responsibility so that technological systems serve humanity rather than replace its central role.

Human rights advocate Nirmal Gorana welcomed the adoption of Convention No. 193, describing it as a major victory for workers’ dignity and social justice. He noted that the treaty represents a timely response to the realities of the digital age and acknowledges the need for labour protections to evolve alongside technological innovation.

According to Gorana, the Convention sends a clear signal that workers’ rights are universal and must remain relevant amid changing economic structures. He emphasized that artificial intelligence and digital innovation should become instruments of inclusion, transparency, and empowerment, ensuring that no worker is excluded from the benefits of technological advancement.

Beyond its legal significance, Convention No. 193 reflects a broader vision of development—one in which economic success is measured not only by productivity and efficiency but also by the protection of human dignity and the promotion of social justice.

As nations begin the process of incorporating the Convention’s provisions into domestic legislation and labour policies, the challenge will be to ensure that technological transformation creates opportunities without compromising fundamental rights and protections. The treaty stands as a reminder that the digital revolution must be guided by solidarity, accountability, and a commitment to decent work for all.

In her concluding remarks, Nathan offered a message that resonated throughout the Conference and beyond: “The human person must remain at the centre of work.”

At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and algorithms increasingly influence livelihoods, her words served as a compelling reminder that genuine progress must always be measured by its capacity to uphold the dignity, rights, and aspirations of every human being.

Convention No. 193 thus emerges not only as a milestone in international labour law but also as a powerful affirmation of a principle deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching: that work exists for the human person, and never the other way around.

By Sr. Rani Punnasseril HCM