Platform Work Regulations in Latin America: The (In)Effectiveness of Chile and Uruguay's Approaches

The regulation of platform work has become a key issue in labour law, with countries adopting divergent approaches. Latin America presents a unique landscape, as it includes both pioneering regulations and jurisdictions that have relied on judicial intervention in the absence of specific legislation. Chile was the first country in the region to enact a platform work law (Law 21.431, 2022), recognizing both independent and dependent platform workers. In contrast, Uruguay lacked regulation until February 2025, during which time its labour courts overwhelmingly classified platform workers as employees, granting them labour protections. This study examines whether these regulatory and judicial approaches have effectively ensured decent work for platform workers and explores ways to enhance their impact, specifically addressing the following questions: 1. To what extent has Chile’s regulation achieved its objectives, and what enforcement challenges have emerged? 2. How has Uruguay’s judicial approach shaped labour protections, and what changes does the recent regulatory intervention introduce? 3. What lessons can be drawn from these cases to improve platform work regulation in Latin America and beyond?
This study employs a comparative legal analysis of Chile and Uruguay, focusing on their regulatory trajectories and enforcement mechanisms. It examines legislation, judicial rulings, and administrative decisions, alongside reports from labour institutions and policy debates. By comparing a country with a formal regulatory framework to one where protections were primarily shaped by the judiciary, the study assesses the effectiveness of both approaches. It also identifies implementation challenges and broader implications for labour law.