Platform work is not a particularly legally regulated area. The area that is regulated by law concerns mostly freelancing, although not all freelancers work exclusively on platforms. Meanwhile, the status of platform workers who work in the field of food delivery, such as Glovo couriers, is not yet specifically regulated by any law. Official data regarding the percentage of total platform work in Montenegro, information regarding the work by profession, or even demographic characteristics doesn‘t exist. The lack of official information regarding platform work leads also to uncertainty about the percentage of platform workers who are tied to platforms versus those who work outside them, which is the case with some freelance journalists in Montenegro.
Platforms mainly present themselves as intermediaries rather than employers, which exempts them from offering rights such as sick leave, maternity leave or union organization.
When it comes to the EU’s accession criteria, the EU wants new rules to improve the conditions of workers in the gig economy. The EU’s Platform Work Directive went into effect on December 1, 2024, imposing significant new requirements on companies that facilitate work in the platform economy. Montenegro, as a candidate country, is not legally bound by the EU's Platform Work Directive. However, the EU often encourages candidate countries to align their national legislation with EU standards as part of the accession process. While there is no specific information indicating that the EU has directly influenced Montenegro's policies regarding platform work, the broader EU enlargement strategy emphasises economic reforms and alignment with EU regulations.