Two notions to delimit the nature of work on digital platforms: Autonomy and alienness

Nowadays, we are experiencing an increasing and ever-growing resort to the use of technologies at work, and even new forms of employment are appearing through the use of digital platforms. These have been labelled with different terms such as “collaborative platforms”, “sharing economy”, “on demand economy”, “gig economy”, etc. Such reality has raised the justified question as to whether these forms of work provision are covered by Labour Law, or whether, on the contrary, they are excluded. Consequently, the purpose of this article is to analyse the personal scope of Labour Law, providing a critical view of subordination as a defining element of employment relationships and revaluing autonomy and alienness¹: two notions that can delimit the employment nature of work on digital platforms.