Work by digital platforms in Germany

Abstract

The paper aims to analyse the characteristics of the labour relations by digital platforms in Germany, focusing on two dimensions: the understanding of these relations in the context of changes and inequalities of the labour market in that country, as well as its interpretation in German normative framework and in Bundesarbeitsgericht’s 9 AZR 102/20 decision. Regarding the methods of analysis, the study combines bibliographic and empirical research. The development of the article is divided into three items: (i) a sociological analysis on the insertion and diffusion of this labour relation in the German labour market; (ii) the German legal system and the Bundesarbeitsgericht’s decision under analysis; (iii) possible theoretical-empirical precautions for future comparative research on the topic between Germany and Brazil. In the final considerations, the main challenges observed throughout the study are taken up again, based on the assumption that legal normativity should not be understood in isolation from social relations.
 KEYWORDS: Work by digital platforms. Germany. Labour market. Bundesarbeitsgericht’s 9 AZR 102/20 decision