New playing field, new rules of the game

Abstract

Globalisation, the changing nature of work and the increased role of the individual can be said to be simultaneously and mutually reinforcing pushing the boundaries of national labour law. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the improvement of working conditions was achieved through collective bargaining. The collective consciousness of workers was strong. But the cross-border activities of multinational companies have weakened workers' organisation. In the digital economy, it is not easy to get workers to take collective action, as the playing field is completely different and the focus is increasingly shifting to individual consciousness, the source of which is the employment contract. This paper explores the changes in the playing field and the rules of the game.