Kiri

● Innovation and Competitiveness Concerns

Estonia’s global reputation as a digital leader is rooted in its ability to foster innovation and adapt swiftly to technological change. A rigid international convention risks undermining this agility by imposing one-size-fits-all rules that may constrain the development of innovative business models. Maintaining flexibility is essential to preserve Estonia’s competitive edge and continued growth in the digital economy.

● Regulatory Autonomy and National Sovereignty

Supporting a binding convention could limit Estonia’s ability to shape labor and digital policy in ways that best reflect its unique market, workforce, and economic goals. Many countries, including Estonia, already have national frameworks regulating platform work that are tailored to their specific contexts. Preserving regulatory autonomy is crucial for designing solutions that align with domestic priorities and realities.

● EU Platform Work Directive (PWD) Alignment

The EU Platform Work Directive has only recently been adopted, and Member States — including Estonia — need time to implement it and assess its impact. Introducing a global convention in parallel risks creating legal and policy conflicts, making ratification particularly challenging for EU countries.

A more prudent approach would be to support a Recommendation rather than a binding convention, allowing us to learn from the PWD transposition before committing to additional international obligations.