Issue Regulating platform labour markets in Korea

Summary

KEIS argues that platform labour, or the gig economy that grew from data-based digital technology, cannot replace traditional employment relationships. Once platform labour markets achieve economies of scale, the report sees a very high likelihood that they will develop into oligopolies. Low entry barriers help draw in idle workers, but skill factors such as education and work experience are hardly reflected, which limits the development of a high-quality workforce. For sustainable growth, the report wants platform workers guided toward stable jobs. It also calls for appropriate regulation of oligopolistic platform operators and protection measures for platform workers, including a ban on excessive fees.