WO Digest: ILO adopts first global gig worker treaty; Judge vacates $100K H-1B Fee For Now; EOR Market's Next Growth Phase

The WO Digest: June 16, 2026

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) has adopted the world's first international agreement aimed at protecting digital platform workers. The treaty seeks to extend labor rights and protections—including fair pay, workplace safety, and social security access—to millions of workers in sectors such as ride-hailing and food delivery. Advocates say the agreement establishes the first global standard for holding digital labor platforms accountable and marks a significant milestone for the gig economy workforce.
• AI is helping businesses work faster and close skills gaps, but a new Express Employment Professionals–Harris Poll survey finds those gains are also fueling worker anxiety about hiring and the future of work.While 79% of hiring managers and 62% of employees report AI is being used in their workplaces, 90% of job seekers say they have concerns about its growing role. Meanwhile, 62% of hiring managers worry that increased automation could erode their company's brand personality and culture.
• Global hiring plans remain positive, with ManpowerGroup's Q3 2026 Net Employment Outlookat 26%—up two points year over year but down five points from the previous quarter. Employers in 33 of 42 countries reported weaker hiring intentions, reflecting growing economic uncertainty. Mid-sized companies, however, remain the most optimistic, posting the strongest hiring outlook and the largest annual gains as they continue to invest in skills and business transformation.
• A longstanding challenge in the gig economy is that independent workers gain flexibility but often lose access to benefits such as healthcare, retirement savings, and paid leave. Portable benefits—designed to follow workers across jobs, clients, and platforms—have long been proposed as a solution. While progress has been slow, new initiatives suggest the concept is finally moving from theory to implementation.
• A federal judge in Massachusetts struck down the Trump administration's $100,000 H-1B application fee, ruling that only Congress can impose such a tax. The decision offers relief to employers that rely on skilled foreign talent, particularly in education, healthcare, and research. However, with an appeal likely and conflicting court rulings already in play, employers should view the decision as temporary rather than settled law.
• The employer of record (EOR) market is projected to grow from nearly $6 billion today to more than $10 billion by 2035,driven by rising demand for global talent and increasingly complex compliance requirements. In a new Workforce Observer blog post, Pebl Chief Business Officer Dutta Satadip explains how AI, regulatory change, and employee experience are reshaping global hiring. As companies recruit talent across borders, EOR providers are evolving from payroll facilitators into strategic infrastructure for managing a distributed workforce. Explore our full newsfeed at workforceobserver.com and share with your team! It's fact-filled, focused and free! WO Digest is a free, weekly newsletter, delivering a round up of top stories and covering important insights into the world of work.