Exploring Progress and Next Steps: GDPoweR Project Meeting in Madrid

On January 23, 2025, Zuzanna Kowalik and Wojciech Szymczak from the Institute for Structural Research (IBS) visited Madrid for a pivotal GDPoweR project meeting.

The day began with an overview of the National Reports’ initial findings, sparking engaging debates. The participants highlighted the parallels between Polish and Belgian platforms, noting how companies like Bolt delay fulfilling data requests to the legal limit, which poses practical hurdles for workers. We also speculated on why JustEat/Takeaway’s business model diverges from competitors like Uber and Glovo, attributing this to long-term strategic compliance with the upcoming EU directive.

A debate followed about the upcoming comparative report. Partners agreed to maintain the structure of the national reports while incorporating valuable insights through additional subchapters. The comparative report, led by Spanish and Austrian partners, will analyse platforms’ impact on workers’ collective bargaining strategies and address shared challenges across countries. With a draft expected by August 2025, this milestone will lay the groundwork for the final conference in Warsaw, tentatively scheduled for October.

The group also stressed the importance of translating findings into accessible formats, such as blog posts, to engage broader audiences quickly.

Reflections and Moving Forward

The Madrid meeting reaffirmed GDPoweR’s commitment to advancing workers’ rights in the platform economy. By combining rigorous research with practical recommendations and fostering dialogue among stakeholders, the project aims to make a tangible impact on collective bargaining, data protection, and workers’ well-being.

As we approach the final phase, all partners are aligned to deliver actionable insights and host a conference. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and upcoming events!