The Criterion of Dependency in the Contractual Relationship of Workers on Digital Platforms: A Study in Jordanian Law

Abstract

Work patterns have evolved from the traditional model of employment within institutions or establishments to include tasks performed outside of the workplace. This shift has been facilitated by the emergence of digital platforms, allowing work to be carried out independently of an employer's supervision. On one hand, this grants worker’s autonomy in their work performance and scheduling. On the other hand, it raises questions about the presence of a dependency link in such employment relationships, especially since Jordanian legislation requires the existence of legal dependency, along with the element of remuneration, to apply labor laws. The researcher employed a descriptive analytical approach to address these questions.

The researcher concluded several key findings, most notably that the Jordanian legislator's failure to regulate this new mode of work, alongside other types, has left workers, including those on digital platforms, vulnerable to exploitation and infringement of their rights, depriving them of social protection. The researcher thus urges the legislator to regulate work through digital platforms to provide legal and social protection for its workers.